EQT AB has nominated its Asia head, Jean Eric Salata, to succeed founder Conni Jonsson as chair of the board at the next shareholder meeting. Jonsson, who founded EQT in 1994 and served as CEO for 20 years before becoming chair, will remain honorary chair, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Salata’s appointment underscores EQT’s growing strategic focus on Asia, where the firm has been expanding dealmaking and fundraising activity, particularly in India and Japan. The move comes as EQT leverages faster-growing Asian markets to balance slower private equity activity in the US and Europe.
Under Jonsson’s leadership, EQT transformed from a Nordic-focused fund into the world’s second-largest private equity firm, building a platform with significant global reach and diversified sector exposure.
The succession highlights EQT’s commitment to strengthening its presence in high-growth regions while maintaining continuity at the helm of one of the largest global private equity managers.
