UNITED KINGDON – CDC Group, UK’s impact investor for Africa and South Asia, has appointed Andrew Brown as Deputy Chief Investment Officer and a Managing Director in a move to further strengthen its management team.

According to a press release by CDC, Mr Brown has a wealth of experience in the emerging markets private equity arena.

The release revealed that Brown has held senior positions at Société Générale Asset Management Alternative Investments, Amundi and ECP.

Andrew Brown said: “CDC has been making successful investments in Africa for over 70 years. It was investing for impact in emerging markets long before anyone thought to coin the term.”

“I am delighted to be joining the company as it continues to make a return for reinvestment, while achieving a positive environmental, social and economic impact in the countries in which it invests,” he added.

At CDC, he will be responsible for chairing the Investment Committees for Funds and Capital Partnerships and will work alongside Managing Director for Funds and Capital Partnerships, Stephen Priestley.

The release also revealed that Brown will also sit on the Direct Equity Investment Committee.

CDC’s Chief Executive, Nick O’Donohoe, said: “Brown’s experience will further strengthen our industry-leading role of identifying and securing impact investment opportunities for CDC and our partners, while also supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

Apart from making a wide range of direct equity and debt investments in Asian and African businesses, CDC also invests capital in private funds that deploy capital responsibly in these markets.

CDC has over the years played a pioneering role in supporting the private equity industry across Africa with its first which channels growth capital to businesses. 

Last year, CDC made 70 per cent of its investments in Africa, with the remainder in Asia.

The company has a portfolio of investments worth over $5.8 billion and is committed to investing £3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) in Africa between 2018 and 2021.