DOB Equity, a Dutch family-backed impact investment firm, has announced that its CEO, Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, will relocate back to Europe with her family.

DOB Equity said that Saskia van der Mast as Investment Director, Hayo Afman as Portfolio Director and Toine Huijbers as CFO will be taking over her responsibilities in a shared leadership structure.

Jean Pierre Sweerts, Chairman of DOB Equity, said: “Under Brigit’s leadership, DOB Equity has grown from strength to strength and we are very grateful for her dedication and hard work. Her efforts have helped cement DOB’s position as a leading impact investor in East Africa. We are pleased to have found a strong succession team within our organization, reflecting the professionalization DOB has gone through over the last half-decade.”

Commenting on her departure, van Dijk – van de Reijt, said: “Working with DOB Equity has been one of the most exciting, inspiring and rewarding roles in my career. The decision to relocate back with my family has not been easy, yet it comes at a time that DOB Equity has positioned itself as one of the leading impact investors in East Africa. I am very thankful to my team and all stakeholders and delighted to have found such a strong succession team within our organization in Saskia, Hayo and Toine.”

DOB Equity invests in impactful and innovative businesses in East Africa addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

DOB Equity invests equity and offers tailored financing, access to international networks and technical assistance to local entrepreneurs, from DOB’s offices in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and the Netherlands.

With a portfolio of fast-growing companies in the East African food and agribusiness, distribution and logistics, energy, waste and education, DOB Equity is determined to further expand its presence and impact in the region.

Van der Mast, Afman and Huijbers said: “We are excited to step up our presence in DOB’s leadership team and very much look forward to the next phase of growth. By combining our mutual strengths as Co-CEO’s, we are convinced that together we will lead a successful continuation of DOB’s mission to address socio-economic challenges across East Africa. We hope to continue to drive the expansion of our investment portfolio whilst boosting impact and value in our existing companies”.