KKR
21.6.2021 09:02:11 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
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
Codethink Opens Early Access to IEC 61508 Mapping for the Eclipse Trustable Software Framework11.3.2026 08:07:00 CET | Press release
Preview release invites industry collaboration on open source approach to functional safety assessment EMBEDDED WORLD--Codethink today opened early access to its mapping between the Eclipse Trustable Software Framework (TSF) and IEC 61508, the international standard governing the functional safety of electrical and electronic systems. The mapping establishes a transparent relationship between the engineering principles of the Trustable Software Framework and the objectives defined in IEC 61508. By making this work available as an early preview, Codethink is inviting organisations interested in applying open source approaches to functional safety to review and begin working with the mapping while the work continues to mature. IEC 61508 forms the foundation of many domain-specific safety standards, including ISO 26262 for automotive systems. The early access reflects Codethink’s long-standing commitment to open development of software engineering methods. “This preview release reflects o
Galderma Buys Back Shares Worth CHF 232 Million in the Context of Accelerated Bookbuild Offering11.3.2026 07:00:00 CET | Press release
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Galderma (SIX: GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced that it has agreed to repurchase 1.6 million shares at a price of CHF 143.75 per share for a total consideration of CHF 232 million in the context of the accelerated bookbuild offering (“ABO”) of Galderma shares by Sunshine SwissCo GmbH (“EQT”), Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Private Equities Department) and Auba Investment Pte. Ltd. (all together the “Selling Shareholders”) launched yesterday evening. The repurchase was made at the same price per share determined by the bookbuilding offering. As a result of yesterday evening’s ABO, the Selling Shareholders have fully divested their remaining stake in Galderma. The repurchase, which is expected to settle on March 13 is being financed by Galderma’s existing liquidity on hand and will not affect the company’s ability to deliver on its strategic and financing priorities. The shares will be held in treasury for futur
Thales Launches SkyDefender: The Integral Air and Missile Defence Dome With Artificial Intelligence11.3.2026 07:00:00 CET | Press release
SkyDefender is a multi-layer, multi-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence system providing full protection against all types of air threats, on land, at sea and in space. SkyDefender integrates a network of advanced sensors and effectors with a versatile command and control (C2) system. With its open and modular architecture, it is fully compatible with existing air defence systems. Combining Thales’ expertise in cybersecurity and advanced artificial intelligence through cortAIx, Thales AI accelerator, SkyDefender enables operational superiority and proactive defence against cyberattacks and evolving threats. Thales is capable of delivering this critical protection globally from today. As air and missile threats are evolving faster than ever, from slow-moving drones to hypersonic missiles, attacks are becoming increasingly complex, saturating and unpredictable. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260310398606/
Curatis and Neupharma Announce Exclusive Licensing Agreement to Develop and Market Corticorelin (C-PTBE-01) for the Treatment of Peritumoral Brain Edema in Japan11.3.2026 07:00:00 CET | Press release
Japan is one of the world's most important pharmaceutical markets after the US and Europe. Neupharma’s team has extensive experience in developing and successfully commercialising orphan drugs as well as speciality care medicines in Japan, including a blockbuster drug. The agreement with Neupharma includes upfront and milestone payments of up to CHF 83.5 million as well as royalties of up to 20% on sales. The population of available patients eligible for corticorelin treatment associated with peritumoral brain edema is estimated at 60,000 in Japan and 500,000 worldwide. Global market potential is forecasted to exceed USD 1 billion annually. Curatis Holding AG (SIX: CURN) and Neupharma Co., Ltd. (“Neupharma”), a Japanese pharmaceutical company specializing in oncology, immunology, pulmonology and cardiology disorders, today announce an exclusive license and development agreement for corticorelin (C-PTBE-01) in Japan. Under the terms of the agreement, Neupharma will receive exclusive rig
Galderma Completes Successful Placement of EUR 500 Million Eurobond11.3.2026 06:55:00 CET | Press release
Galderma Group AG (SWX:GALD): NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION. Galderma Group AG (SIX:GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced the successful placement of a single-tranche EUR 500 million Eurobond. The bond has a 5-year maturity and carries a fixed-rate annual coupon of 3.375%. The Eurobond was placed on March 10, 2026, with settlement expected on March 17, 2026, and will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Citigroup, ING, J.P. Morgan and RBC Capital Markets jointly led the transaction. Net proceeds from the transaction will be used to fully repay Galderma’s existing bank term loan issued in connection with the company’s initial public offering in March 2024. The transaction represents the final step in Galderma’s refinancing process, having obtained two investment grade credit ratings. Galderma is currently rated ‘BBB’ (stable outlook) by Fitc
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