The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has announced the departure of CEO Tshepiso Kobile, who is leaving to pursue new professional opportunities.

To ensure operational continuity while searching for a successor to Kobile, the SAVCA board has appointed seasoned private equity executive Nicola Gubb as interim executive director to support SAVCA’s senior managers in maintaining the association’s day-to-day operations and driving its key programmes until a new CEO is appointed.

Appointed during a transition period, SAVCA says Kobile provided strong leadership, guiding it through strategic shifts, boosting its advocacy role in key policy discussions and helping to broaden its industry mandate. 

He led the recruitment and onboarding of a new executive team, helping to build internal capacity and position the organisation to serve an increasingly complex and evolving investment environment.

Under her leadership, SAVCA says it strengthened its voice in regulatory and policy discussions.

The Association notes that it has played an active role in shaping elements of the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill and contributed to engagements with the Competition Commission and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, particularly on public interest considerations in merger transactions.

These efforts helped to ensure that private capital is appropriately considered in key policy frameworks, says SAVCA.

Kobile also represented SAVCA at key international industry body engagements, helping to raise the profile of Southern African private capital on the global stage.

During her tenure, SAVCA expanded its advocacy efforts and contributed to discussions on responsible investment, market development, and cross-border capital flows.

A strong proponent of industry diversity, the Association says she supported initiatives that encouraged the advancement of women in private equity and venture capital and helped position the association as a platform for broader inclusion across the ecosystem.

The growth of SAVCA’s flagship conferences during her time – including the successful relocation of the annual Private Equity Conference to a larger venue to accommodate record attendance – speaks to her meaningful contribution.

SAVCA says Kobile has also played a key role in broadening the association’s mandate to more intentionally include all providers of private capital – equity, mezzanine and debt – ensuring a more inclusive and representative voice for the industry.

“We thank her for her contribution to SAVCA’s continued relevance and effectiveness and wish her well as she embarks on the next phase of her career,” says SAVCA.