The board of directors of the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has appointed Dave Stadler as its new chairman.

Stadler, who is the founding partner of Paean Private Equity, takes up the position after serving on the SAVCA board for five years.

He has some 30 years’ investment banking and private equity experience.

Stadler replaces Emile Du Toit, Head of Infrastructure Investments at Harith General Partners, who stepped down as chair in October 2014.

Commenting on his appointment, Stadler said: “It is an honor to serve the Southern African private equity community through a strong, established platform such as SAVCA. As an industry body, SAVCA has been successful in promoting the asset class and investment opportunities in the Southern African region amongst local and foreign investors and the business community. There is, however, still substantial work to do and I look forward to the challenge.”

Stadler was formerly head of Nedbank Private Equity, having previously established BoE NatWest Equity Partners, the private equity division of BoE NatWest.

He has served on the boards of directors both as chairman and non-executive director of a number of investee companies.

Stadler is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Erika van der Merwe, CEO of SAVCA, said: “Dave is one of the most seasoned practitioners in our industry and SAVCA is privileged to benefit from his understanding of good governance in finance and business, his leadership skills and experience in investing across a multiple of industries.”

SAVCA is a membership organization which represents more than 90 private equity managers across Southern Africa.

The organization promotes the benefits of private equity to local and foreign investors and engages with regulators and policy makers regarding regulation and legislation that affect the industry.