Permira announces the appointment of David Ho, former President of Nokia in China, as Senior Adviser. David will help Permira expand its presence in Greater China and will advise the funds on investment opportunities in the region. David’s appointment will be effective from 1 November 2010 and he will be based in Beijing.
David Ho, 51, is a seasoned corporate executive, with vast experience in building and growing businesses in China. Since 2008, David has been Chairman of Kiina Group, an investment company backing internet and communications technology start-ups in Greater China. Previously he spent 27 years in the Telecoms industry, holding a number of senior positions at Nokia, including Chairman of Nokia Siemens Networks Ltd, where he was responsible for the entire business and operations in the Greater China Region. Prior to that, David spent three years running Nortel Networks’ business in China and for six years previously, he worked for Motorola, leading its cellular infrastructure division in China. David began his career at Northern Telecom in Canada, before moving with the company to Asia, where he has since been based.
David’s appointment will further strengthen Permira’s existing franchise in Asia. He will work closely with the Hong Kong team led by Henry Chen to source attractive investment opportunities in Greater China as well as providing invaluable insights on the business environment in China to the funds’ existing portfolio companies. He will advise on investment opportunities across sectors including the TMT sector, one of Permira’s five core areas of expertise.
Commenting on the appointment, Henry Chen, Head of Permira’s Hong Kong office, said: “We are delighted that David has decided to join the Permira team in Asia. David’s extensive experience in running and growing businesses in Greater China together with his extended network of contacts throughout the region will be invaluable to the firm and to our funds’ portfolio companies as we continue to build our presence across Asia. We look forward to working with him on pursuing exciting new investment opportunities for the funds.”
David Ho added: “I am thrilled to be joining Permira, a leading private equity firm with a fantastic track record of investing in high quality companies around the world. Asia is a fast-growing and exciting region to invest in today and I look forward to working with Henry and Permira’s broader global team both to source attractive investment opportunities for the funds and to assist existing portfolio companies as they execute their China growth strategies.”
D.C.