Phatisa, a sector-specific African private equity fund manager, has appointed Robert Jenkins as Senior Partner and acting Chief Investment Officer.
 
Jenkins was one of the pioneers of the private equity industry in the UK. 

He was a founding partner of Phildrew Ventures, which went on to raise five funds totalling over $1bn of assets under management. 

The business was sold to UBS Capital in 2000. 

Robert then worked for Bridgepoint Capital, Europe’s leading private equity firm, in a portfolio company management role for underperforming assets where he was director or chair of 10 businesses.
 
Robert’s interest in Africa started over 10 years ago. 

He has mentored two African-based SME funds, is a trustee of a Malawian microfinance business, chairs a grant-making trust and has an MSc from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in development economics. 

More recently he was an Investment Director of Gatsby Africa, an East African developmental institution managing an annual budget of $20m and Chief Investment Officer of Msingi, an institution established to encourage transformative sector development in East Africa.

He has an in-depth understanding of finance and funding markets in Africa, and of their imperfections, which are impeding the development of Africa’s true potential. 

Commenting on his appointment, Jenkins said: “African private equity is still in its infancy, but Phatisa have developed a structure and competency more aligned with a mature private equity business. Their focus on ESG and driving impact is industry leading. It is a real pleasure to be able to work with such a well-rounded and talented team and to have the opportunity to help take them to the next level.”

Jenkins joins Phatisa at a time when we are first closing the Phatisa Food Fund 2, a $300m private equity fund focused on the food value chain and agri business sector and following on from the success of Phatisa’s $246m African Agriculture Fund. 
 
Duncan Owen, Joint Managing Partner of Phatisa, said: “We are privileged to have an individual with such a depth of private equity experience, spanning over 30 years and including significant African experience, identify with Phatisa. Robert will play a pivotal role in mentoring the partnership and guiding our deal and portfolio teams to further enhance our capabilities.”