Equistone appoints Chief Operating Officer

Equistone Partners Europe Limited ("Equistone"), one of Europe's leading investors in mid-market buyouts, today announces the appointment of Steven Whitaker as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Steven will be based in the firm's London office and begins his role with immediate effect.

Steven joins Equistone after seven years at Vision Capital, where he was Chief Operating Officer and prior to that Chief Financial and Compliance Officer. Before joining Vision Capital, Steven held a number of senior finance and operations-focused roles at Brevan Howard and at 3i in London and Frankfurt.

Steven has represented the Private Equity industry at senior levels as Chairman of the BVCA’s Taxation Committee in 2013/14 and is currently a member of the BVCA’s UK and European Capital Committee. Steven qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG after graduating with an English Literature degree from the University of Sheffield.

Guillaume Jacqueau, Managing Partner of Equistone Partners Europe, commented: “I am delighted to be announcing Steven’s appointment to our senior team at Equistone. Steven brings with him deep experience in the European private equity industry having worked in other leading firms in both the UK and Germany as well as significant operational expertise.

“Steven’s tenure as a committee member in a number of highly regarded bodies including the BVCA is impressive and will be extremely valuable to our team’s capabilities.”

Steven Whitaker said: “Equistone is one of Europe’s leading middle market private equity investors; it has an excellent track record and a highly regarded team which I am really excited to be joining as Chief Operating Officer. I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues across the firm’s six offices.”