KKR
KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announces the appointment of Ajay Kavan as a Senior Advisor in Europe, effective immediately. Based in London, Mr. Kavan will support KKR’s pan-European investment activities in technology and digitally-enabled businesses and will advise KKR’s portfolio companies. In particular, he will focus on the consumer internet sector in eCommerce and direct-to-consumer offers, as well as companies undergoing major digital transformation programmes.
Ajay most recently served as CEO of Matches Fashion, where he supported the business through the impact of the pandemic, strengthened the leadership team and improved customer experience, technology and operational performance. Prior to joining Matches he spent nine years in senior roles at Amazon including VP International Special Projects, VP Amazon Fresh International and VP UK Consumables. He was responsible for launching Amazon Fresh across Europe and Asia, developing strategic partnerships with retailers (including Morrisons in the UK), developing its international physical stores, led Amazon’s subscription businesses across the EU and scaled Amazon businesses across multiple categories. Ajay has over 20 years of online experience and prior to Amazon, he led the launch of the online channels and multi-channel capabilities for three different retail businesses. Previous roles included Marketing and Strategy and Multi-channel Director roles within Home Retail Group plc and Kingfisher plc. Ajay is also the Vice Chair of In Kind Direct, a UK charity that distributes consumer goods to charitable organisations globally.
KKR’s Senior Advisors bring leadership skills, knowledge-sharing and deep industry expertise. They help drive value creation by providing advice and best practice to KKR’s investment teams and the executives, entrepreneurs and management teams of its portfolio companies. Mr. Kavan’s appointment follows that of TMT Senior Advisors Diego Piacentini in 2019, and Adam Warby in 2020.
Tim Franks, Partner and Head of EMEA Consumer & Retail at KKR, Jean-Pierre Saad, Partner and Head of EMEA Technology at KKR, and Philipp Schaelli, Principal in EMEA Private Equity at KKR, said: “Ajay will be a fantastic resource for our executives and our portfolio company management teams, bringing decades of experience in digital transformation, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer product development. He joins at an exciting time for KKR’s technology investment platform in Europe, with digitalisation a critical part of every business’ strategy and operational agenda.”
Ajay Kavan said: “KKR builds strong relationships with founders and management teams and has a track record of supporting them to deliver exceptional value creation. KKR is deeply committed to continuing to build its technology platform and I’m really excited to work with the KKR team and with leaders in their portfolio companies.”
KKR has invested over $25bn in tech companies in the past ten years across over 140 investments. Since the start of 2020, KKR has made over 20 tech investments globally, investing over $5bn in equity. Major recent EMEA technology investments include Cegid, Exact, Devoteam and Zwift.
--ends--
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of The Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210621005048/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Vertex Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for ALYFTREK®, a New Once-Daily CFTR Modulator for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis28.4.2025 08:03:00 CEST | Press release
- ALYFTREK®(deutivacaftor/tezacaftor/vanzacaftor) recommended for people with CF ages 6 years and older with at least one non-class I mutation in the CFTR gene -- In head-to-head clinical trials, deutivacaftor/tezacaftor/vanzacaftor was non-inferior on ppFEV1 and superior compared to KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) at reducing sweat chloride - Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion for ALYFTREK®(deutivacaftor/tezacaftor/vanzacaftor)for the treatment of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) ages 6 years and older who have at least one non-class I mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. “Our goal has always been to serially innovate to help people with cystic fibrosis live healthier and longer lives. If approved, this new medicine would be indicated for people with CF ages 6 years and older with at least
Prilenia Enters into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Ferrer for the Commercialization and Co-Development of Pridopidine in Europe and Other Select Markets28.4.2025 07:02:00 CEST | Press release
-- Total deal size of approximately €500 million, including approximately €125 million in upfront and near-term milestones ---- Ferrer to commercialize pridopidine in Europe and other select markets; Prilenia retains full commercialization and development rights to pridopidine in North America, Japan and Asia Pacific ---- Co-development agreement in the territory supports further expansion of pridopidine in Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and future indications ---- Pridopidine for Huntington’s disease is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a CHMP opinion expected in the second half of 2025 -- Prilenia Therapeutics B.V., a biopharmaceutical company driven by an unwavering commitment to scientific excellence and accelerating progress for people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), today announced that it has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Ferrer for the commercialization
Ferrer Enters Into a Collaboration and License Agreement With Prilenia for the Commercialization and Co-Development of Pridopidine28.4.2025 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
Ferrer, an international B Corp pharmaceutical company with an increasing focus on rare neurological diseases, and Prilenia Therapeutics B.V.,a clinical-stage biotech company, have announced the signing of a strategic co-development and license agreement in which Ferrer obtains the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Pridopidine in the European Region, the Middle East and North African Region, the Southern African Region, the Central and South American Region, and the Commonwealth of Independent States Region. Pridopidine, a potent and highly selective, orally administered sigma-1 receptor agonist, designed to regulate key neuroprotective mechanisms that are often impaired in neurodegenerative diseases, is a promising candidate for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease (HD), a rare inherited neurodegenerative disease, with a high unmet medical need1. It has been studied in more than 1,700 people and long-term safety data of up to 7 years duration are available from previou
Innorna Announces FDA Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug Designations Granted to IN013 for Treatment of Wilson Disease27.4.2025 11:36:00 CEST | Press release
Innorna, a clinical-stage biotechnology company revolutionizing mRNA therapeutics with its innovative lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted both Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to its investigational mRNA therapy, IN013, for treating Wilson Disease (WD). This dual achievement accelerates the clinical development of IN013, advancing Innorna’s mission to deliver transformative therapies for WD patients. About FDA Designations The Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) incentivizes therapies for serious or life-threatening diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 U.S. patients, primarily those aged 18 or younger. Sponsors may qualify for a Priority Review Voucher (PRV) upon approval to expedite FDA review of a subsequent drug application. The Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) supports therapies targeting rare diseases (affecting fewer than 200,000 U.S. patients) by provi
Everen Specialty Appoints Carla Greaves Chief Underwriting Officer25.4.2025 19:00:00 CEST | Press release
Everen Specialty, a Bermuda-based (re)insurer for energy markets worldwide, today announced the appointment of Carla Greaves as its new Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425273777/en/ Carla Greaves Ms. Greaves will join the Executive Leadership Team of the Everen Group, based in the Bermuda office, later this year. She succeeds Jane Peterson, Interim CUO, who will continue in a consultancy capacity to facilitate the transition. With more than 30 years of underwriting and leadership experience in the (re)insurance industry, Ms. Greaves brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success in the Casualty market where she is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving profitable growth, and successfully navigating complex market environments. Prior to joining Everen Specialty, Ms. Greaves held increasingly senior leadership positions, most recently servin
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom