AP Ventures is led by a highly motivated and experienced team specialising in hydrogen and carbon technology investments
Alexis is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution, and for supporting research into the hydrogen value chain.
Prior to joining AP Ventures, Alexis worked as a management consultant for Kearney, where he gained experience in Private Equity and M&A, Operations and Strategy, mostly in the energy sector. He also has experience as a startup founder of a payment services company, which he ran for more than two years.
Alexis holds a MSc. in Aerospace Engineering from ISAE in Toulouse, France, as well as a Masters in Management from London Business School.
Outside of work, Alexis enjoys cooking and eating, as well as outdoors activities, especially if it involves going up a mountain by foot or on skis.
Andrew Hinkly is the Founding Managing Partner of AP Ventures. He is a board member of Amogy, GreyRock, Hazer, Hydrogen Mem-Tech, Fabrum and Noble Gas.
He has enjoyed a high profile multi-national career spanning more than 30 years working in the automotive, mining and venture capital industries. He held a number of senior leadership positions at Anglo American, where he worked for a decade and was a member of Anglo American Platinum Executive Committee.
He previously held senior roles at Ford Motor Company where he was a member of the Americas Executive Committee.
Andrew has an MBA from the University of Manchester and a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Loughborough.
Andrew is a sailor, cyclist and commercial pilot.
Angela is an Investor Relations Analyst at AP Ventures, supporting the fundraising and investor relations team. She is also responsible for marketing and PR for AP Ventures.
Before joining AP Ventures, Angela worked for an organisation specialising in professional development for the public and voluntary sectors, leading the conference production team to deliver events and content on a wide range of public policy topics.
Angela holds a BA in Japanese and East Asian studies from the University of Cambridge, and a MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London. As part of her undergraduate degree, Angela lived in Kyoto for one year, participating in the Nichibun programme at Doshisha University.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys reading, watercolour painting and swimming.
Birgit Behrendt is a Venture Partner at AP Ventures and a senior advisor and Board member to Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies and Infinium Holdings, Inc.
She is an experienced global automotive leader with an extensive career in supply chain management and procurement. A former Company Officer of Ford Motor Company Birgit has lived and worked in Europe and the US. She held positions as Vice President Global Purchasing and as Vice President Joint Ventures, Alliances & Commercial Affairs and was a board member of Joint Venture companies in Germany, Russia and Turkey. Birgit continues to serve on the Board of Ford in Germany.
Furthermore, Birgit is an independent Supervisory Board member of KION Group AG, thyssenkrupp AG and Umicore SA.
Birgit has a degree in Business Administration from the Academy of Administration and Economics (Verwaltungs-und Wirtschaftsakademie – VWA), Germany
Outside of work Birgit loves to read, spend time near or on the water and runs to eat.
Brandon is an Investment Analyst at AP Ventures. He supports the deal team with the origination and execution of investment opportunities, as well as researching sectors within and adjacent to the hydrogen value chain.
He began his career working in Investment Banking, in Renaissance Capital's South African office, where he provided M&A advisory for transactions across various sectors including Metals & Mining, Base Chemicals and Telecommunications.
Following a move to London, Brandon joined Access Corporate Finance, where he advised renewable utilities before transitioning to advise early-stage climate tech founders, with a particular focus on Long Duration Energy Storage.
Brandon obtained commerce degrees from the University of Pretoria and GIBS Business School, during which he completed internships with Investec and McKinsey & Company. He also later obtained his FMVA certification from the Corporate Finance Institute.
Outside of work you will find Brandon adventuring the outdoors, watching a Grand Prix or playing the occasional DJ set.
Calum is an Associate at AP Ventures responsible for supporting deal execution, technical analysis and market intelligence. He also leads on research into the hydrogen investment ecosystem to support strategic investments across the hydrogen value chain.
Prior to joining AP Ventures, Calum worked with Frazer-Nash Consultancy where he served clients across the energy and power generation industry. He specialised in materials engineering and modelling, including the creation of digital twins for asset life extension.
Calum holds a first-class MA MSci in Natural Sciences specialising in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge. During his studies Calum interned at EMPA Thun - the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.
Outside of work Calum enjoys swimming, cycling, running and being in the mountains - winter or summer!
Charlie is an Investments and Portfolio Manager. He is responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution, as well managing deals post-investment. He has also led on helping to define attractive investment areas for the Fund.
Charlie has led, and now manages, five of the investments in Fund 2. These are Hystar, Fairbrics, EH Group, Fabrum and ZeroAvia. He sits as a Board Director for Fairbrics and Hystar, and as a Board Observer for Fabrum and ZeroAvia.
Charlie has a background in climate change, natural resources and finance. Prior to starting at AP Ventures he worked for 2 years in an investment bank, and for 4 years at EY Advisory. Charlie holds a BSC in Natural Sciences from Durham University and an MSc in Metals and Energy Finance from Imperial College London.
Daisy is a Finance Manager at AP Ventures. She is part of the AP Ventures finance team, responsible for the ongoing support for all financial control and regulatory reporting activities pertaining to the Funds. Daisy is responsible for a number of the key South African relationships as well as general investment evaluation and execution. Daisy is the secretary to the Investment Committee.
Prior to joining AP Ventures, Daisy worked for 4 years at an investment holding company as Finance Manager and was responsible for group financial reporting, financial administration and financial control of various investment holding companies and an asset management company within the group. She has also worked as an external auditor and internal auditor, responsible for risk assessment and risk management.
Daisy holds a B.Com (Accounting) and LLB from Wits University, Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science from Unisa and is also a Chartered Accountant. She also holds an MBA from Wits Business School.
Daisy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, cycling and travelling.
Elaine is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at AP Ventures. Her support is essential to ensuring the successful coordination of a busy team.
Prior to AP Ventures, Elaine has held similar roles over the past 25 years within the finance industry ranging from global organisations to smaller start-up businesses.
Outside of work, Elaine enjoys yoga and long dog walks with her family.
Elizabeth Watson is a Fund Accountant at AP Ventures. Responsibilities relate to the AP Ventures Funds with her role including the preparation and review of management accounts, annual financial statements, drawdown and distribution notices and completion of various FCA returns.
Elizabeth holds a BA Hons degree in Accounting and has been a qualified accountant for over 18 years. She has gained a large majority of her experience working in the Finance Team of Private Equity and Asset Management firms.
Outside of work Elizabeth enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Heledd is the Investor Relations (IR) Assistant at AP Ventures primarily focused on supporting the fundraising team.
Heledd has a background working in philanthropic fundraising within the healthcare sector. She holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work Heledd enjoys yoga, exploring Kew Gardens and takes any opportunity to get her hiking boots on.
James is an Investment Manager responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution, as well as supporting research into the hydrogen value chain. In March 2020, James led the Fund’s participation into the oversubscribed ZEG Power Series-A fundraise, a high potential blue hydrogen production technology company, based out of Oslo.
Prior to joining AP Ventures in 2019, James spent five years with BP Upstream Exploration where he specialised in technical engineering and project management of subsea well system projects, predominantly in the Caspian Sea region.
James holds an upper second-class MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol. More recently James graduated from London Business School’s full-time MBA programme, with a concentration in private equity. During his studies James interned with AB InBev’s procurement division executing corporate power purchase agreements for Caribbean breweries.
Outside of work James enjoys cycling, rowing and is a keen skier obsessed with off-piste skiing.
Kevin Eggers is a Founding Partner of AP Ventures. He is a board member of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, African Hydrogen Ventures and MatiTech.
Kevin has a broad range of international experience spanning nearly twenty years, having worked extensively across Europe, South Africa and the United States. Prior to launching this fund, he was with Anglo American plc for ten years in various senior Commercial and Corporate Finance positions.
Kevin is passionate about discovering and investing in advanced technologies that have meaningful impact on the environment.
Kevin received his honours degree in Business Science from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Away from investing, Kevin has completed numerous marathons, canoe races and triathlons but is most content walking around a golf course or sampling new wine.
Khangzhen is an Investment Analyst at AP Ventures. He supports the deal team with the origination and execution of investment opportunities, as well as researching heavy industry decarbonisation technology.
He was previously at Lombard Odier's sustainable investment research group, supporting the plastic circularity private equity fund; and at E4tech, a sustainable technology consultancy with a focus on hydrogen, bioenergy, and energy system innovations.
Khangzhen is a visiting fellow at Zinc VC, supporting founders to build scalable environmental businesses. His earlier career includes a cleantech startup and water technology engineering.
He has an MPhil in engineering for sustainable development from the University of Cambridge and a degree in chemical engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Outside of work, Khangzhen enjoys spending time with his young family and cycling up hills.
Kosuke is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal sourcing and execution, as well as supporting the management of portfolio companies. He also leads the relationship management with one of AP Ventures’ Limited Partners, Mitsubishi Corporation.
Kosuke has a background in natural sciences and commodity trading. Prior to joining AP Ventures, he worked for Mitsubishi Corporation’s Precious Metals Trading Team in various roles from trading/marketing to business development.
Kosuke holds a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics for Finance from Imperial College London.
Outside of work, Kosuke enjoys travelling, reading, and marine sports.
Mardé van Wyk has obtained extensive experience in Private Equity over the last 14 years working with and being responsible for a broad spectrum of private market transactions, across the entire deal value chain. Underpinned by a strong financial skillset, her expertise lie in deal structuring and portfolio management, including investment restructuring – a skillset obtained whilst working with distressed investments at South Africa’s largest asset manager. Mardé is regarded as a solutions specialist with an appreciation for innovation and sector exposure spanning a myriad of investment (direct and funds) positions facilitated from generalist to financial services, logistics, energy, food security, housing, education, tourism, real estate focused, just to name a few. As a golden thread throughout her work Mardé is passionate about being involved in the promotion and incorporation of gender, racial and ethnic equity in investment decision-making. She has served on the Board, Advisory Board and various sub-committees of a number of underlying companies and funds during her tenor as an investment professional.
Mardé holds a Bachelors in Accounting Science and is an alumni of the Oxford Private Equity Programme.
Meryem Cherif is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures, looking after fundraising, Limited Partners and ESG integration. She also manages AP Ventures’ investment in Ergosup.
Prior to this role, she worked for 5 years at UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan in Barcelona as project manager for BAT4MED and SwitchMed. These projects contributed to the adaptation and adoption of the IPPC to Northern African countries and to the creation of a green business incubation program (selection, training, mentoring and access to finance) benefitting over 1400 green entrepreneurs in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon.
Meryem holds a Dual MSc in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering from Arts et Metiers Paristech and Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, and an MBA from London Business School. Meryem speaks Native French, fluent English, fluent Arabic, fluent Spanish and conversational Catalan.
Outside of work, Meryem is a keen traveller and a certified diver.
Michelle Robson is a Senior Investment Manager with AP Ventures focused on investment, portfolio management and management of the Fund’s portfolio construction. Michelle is a director on the board of Starfire Energy, HPNow and Immaterial, and an observer on the board of Amogy and Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies.
Michelle has extensive experience in portfolio and business development, commercial strategy creation and implementation and new and innovative deep tech and digital technologies. Her international experience spans Europe and Australia.
Prior to AP Ventures, Michelle held a number of group and commercial strategy roles within Anglo American including establishing and leading Anglo American’s first digital and innovation function. Before this, Michelle was a Manager with boutique management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting.
Michelle received her first-class honours degree in Industrial Chemistry (Engineering) from the University of New South Wales (Australia).
Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys running, yoga and exploring the world and the great outdoors with her young family.
Niki is a member of AP Venture’s investment committee. As an independent committee member, she is separately a part of within PIMCO’s Alternative Investments Team.
Prior to joining PIMCO in 2019, she was part of the early team of GreenOak Real Estate, now BentallGreenOak, which she helped kickstart. Prior to that, Ms. Dembitz was at McKinsey & Company, focusing on strategic reviews and planning for boards and corporate clients. She started her career in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley and then moved to the firm’s real estate division (MSREF) to focus on acquisitions across Europe and other locations. She has 17 years of investment and financial services experience and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an undergraduate degree in economics from Yale University and a degree from Singularity University.
Born and raised in Switzerland, she’s a keen powder skier and environment enthusiast.
Pamela Darchiville is the CFO/Compliance Officer at AP Ventures and manages the Finance team. She is also responsible for HR and legal.
Pam has over 15 years’ experience working in the Finance team of VC and PE firms.
Pam is a qualified accountant and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Outside work Pam enjoys cooking, exercising and travelling.
Penny Freer has worked with AP Ventures since its launch. She is the Chairman of AP Ventures LLP and also Chairs the Investment Committee and the Limited Partner Advisory Committee.
Penny has considerable business experience with more than 25 years working in finance where she has held senior leadership positions including at Robert W Baird where she was responsible for the Equity Capital Markets activities and was a member of the UK Board.
Over the past 10 years Penny has worked with high growth companies as an investor and as an advisor. She has also served as a non-executive director for listed companies and funds.
Penny holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Leicester.
In her free time Penny enjoys reading, skiing and sailing.
Ran Li is a Fund Accountant at AP Ventures. She is responsible for production of management accounts and various financial statements, drawdown and distribution notices for the Limited Partners as well as monitoring the company compliance programme.
Ran has a background in accounting. Prior to starting at AP Ventures she worked for 5 years in a medium size accountancy practice, and 5 year at IQ-EQ Fund Administration services.
Ran holds an upper second-class BSC in Finance and Accounting from Brunel University and an MSc in Risk Management and Financial Engineering from Imperial College London.
Ran is a qualified Association of Chartered Certified Accountants since 2015.
Outside work Ran enjoys walking, reading, travelling and photography.
Risei is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal sourcing and execution, as well as supporting the management of portfolio companies. He also leads the relationship management with one of AP Ventures’ Limited Partners, Sumitomo Corporation.
Risei has a background in investment management. Prior to joining AP Ventures, he worked for Sumitomo Corporation of Americas in charge of energy technology market research. He has also worked for Ridgeworth Capital Management managing Asian equity portfolio. Risei is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Charterholder.
Risei holds a BA in Foreign Studies from Sophia University in Japan and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame in the USA.
Outside of work, Risei enjoys jogging and swimming.
Sengo is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal sourcing and execution, as well as supporting the management of portfolio companies post-investment. He is also responsible for a number of the key relationships, overall business development, advisory and investment process of the South African office.
Prior to joining AP Ventures, Sengo worked for over 4 years at a boutique private equity and advisory firm as Vice President responsible for transaction origination and execution across Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to this, he held various roles in investment banking focusing on project, corporate and leveraged finance where he sourced and executed several debt and quasi-debt transactions. His experience spans various sectors, including renewable energy, mining, infrastructure, telecommunications, logistics, financial services, agriculture, and FMCG.
Sengo holds a BSc. in Mathematics, and a BSc. Honours in Computational and Applied Mathematics from the University of Witwatersrand.
Outside of work, Sengo is an avid car racer and also enjoys running, travelling, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Yonatan Sher is Head of Legal at AP Ventures. After moving to London to join the corporate venturing fund within Anglo American Platinum, he assisted with the spin out of the fund into AP Ventures.
Before joining Anglo American, Yonatan was an Associate in the M&A Department of a leading South African corporate law firm, where he benefited from extensive exposure to public and private M&A and Equity Capital Markets transactions across many industries, including a significant amount of cross-border work.
Yonatan holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and is admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
In his free time, Yonatan enjoys travelling, hiking and reading.
