Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI), Africa’s largest private alternative investment manager, has appointed Nabeel Laher as Head of International Private Equity, which manages over R8bn ($600m) in international private equity funds. 

A chartered accountant with over 10 years’ financial services and operational experience, Laher joined OMAI’s International Private Equity team in March 2015 with particular responsibility for the roll out of its Africa Fund of Funds, as well as originating and managing investments in various other funds, and leading his team of investment professionals.

Laher’s background and experience includes audit work with a big four accountancy firm, and international investment banking, where he was responsible for debt transactions across leveraged finance, project finance and balance sheet lending. Immediately prior to joining OMAI, he was a member of Deloitte’s Corporate Finance Advisory team, advising on mergers and acquisitions across a wide variety of industry sectors. 

He has also had a successful spell as an entrepreneur, starting and growing his own business before his career in audit. 

He takes over from James Regout who is retiring after almost 40 years at Old Mutual. 

During a long and successful career with the firm, Regout’s other roles have included serving as Head of Equity Research, and separately as Head of Investments in Malawi and Kenya.

Paul Boynton, CEO of OMAI, said: “We are very pleased to announce Nabeel’s new role as Head of International Private Equity. Since joining us, he has been instrumental in securing funding for the third International Fund of Funds and is currently raising capital internationally for the Africa Fund of Funds.” 

“He brings an interesting blend of advisory and practical business experience to this role, as well as great enthusiasm and professionalism, and will play an important role in helping us reach new heights,” he said.

“I’d also like to pay a personal tribute to James, who with almost four decades in professional investing, has the longest continuous focus on African assets outside of South Africa in private equity, and has served the firm with great dedication and commitment,” he added.