KKR announced the appointment of Philippe de Backer as Managing Director of European Public Affairs, effective January 1, 2025. Philippe, based in KKR’s London office, will report to Ken Mehlman, Partner and Global Head of Public Affairs and Co-Head of Global Impact.
Philippe was previously a member of the European Parliament focusing on financial regulation, industrial policy, investment, innovation and infrastructure and also worked as State Secretary and Minister for the Belgian Government. And with a background in healthcare investing and life sciences, Philippe has also held advisory roles with top-tier strategic consulting firms, private equity funds and venture capital funds.
KKR has been investing in Europe for 25+ years, opening its first office in the region in London in 1999. The firm employs over 550 people across its 11 EMEA offices and manages about $100 billion in assets in Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit, and Real Estate in the region.
KEY QUOTES:
“Philippe’s unique combination of public and private sector experience will help KKR invest in solutions to critical policy challenges at the heart of the European agenda such as supporting digitization, investing behind the energy transition, and accelerating workforce development as well as navigating Europe’s evolving regulatory and political landscape for KKR. His expertise can help us anticipate policy change, make better investments and ensure that our firm remains at the forefront of responsible investment in today’s dynamic and highly complex European environment.”
- Ken Mehlman
“As a relationship driven firm, stakeholder engagement grounded in trust and transparency is a crucial component of how we create value. We welcome Philippe to the firm, and look forward to benefitting from his strong diplomacy and expertise in navigating the intersection of policy, regulation and business.”
- Tara Davies and Mattia Caprioli, Co-Heads of KKR EMEA
