AP Ventures is led by a highly motivated team with a proven investment track record.
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 Ergosup, Food Freshness, GreyRock, Hazer and Starfire.
He has enjoyed a high profile career spanning more than 25 years working in the automotive and mining 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 North American Executive Committee. At Ford he led the Production Procurement operations of Ford Americas and was responsible for $45 billion of annual purchases from over 40,000 suppliers.
Andrew has an MBA from the University of Manchester and a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Loughborough.
Andrew is a committed sailor, cyclist and pilot.
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.
Calum is an Analyst 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 Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution, as well managing deals post-investment. He also leads on research into attractive investment areas across sustainable energy, resource scarcity and changing demographics.
Charlie has a background in natural sciences, climate technology and natural resources. Prior to starting at AP Ventures he worked for 2 years in an investment bank, and for 4 years at EY Advisory.
Charlie holds an upper second-class BSC in Natural Sciences from Durham University and an MSc in Metals and Energy Finance from Imperial College London.
Outside of work Charlie enjoys walking, reading and playing the drums. He is passionate about a sustainable future for energy and resources, and enjoys learning about new technology and the impact it can have.
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.
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 HPNow, HyET Hydrogen, Hydrogenious, Hystar and ZEG Power.
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.
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.
Megan is the Team Assistant and PA at AP Ventures. Her support is essential to coordinate a team scattered across four continents.
Prior to working at AP Ventures, she worked as an Assistant within the PE and Corporate Finance sector for over 5 years, providing support to various high level and HNWIs.
Megan holds an upper second-class BA in Business and Enterprise Management from London South Bank University, which she gained whilst working full time.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys travelling, reading, hiking and is a Book Fairy.
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 and HPNow, 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.
Sebastian is an Investment Manager at AP Ventures. He is responsible for deal sourcing, deal execution as well as the relationship management with AP Ventures' Limited Partners Equinor, Nysnø Climate Investments and Yara.
Sebastian has a background in mechanical and automation engineering, with extensive experience in conventional and renewable energy projects. Prior to joining AP Ventures he worked for Equinor ASA in Oslo as Technical Lead for Control Systems.
Sebastian holds a MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Chemnitz University of Technology. In addition, he has completed a full time MBA at European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin.
In his free time, Sebastian enjoys exploring new places, different cultures as well as the newest developments on the whisky market. Crossfit, football and various outdoor sports keep his mind focused for the latest sustainable energy solutions.
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.
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