DOB Equity awarded impact investor and transition to new leadership

DOB Equity, a Dutch family-backed impact investor in East Africa, has been awarded the best Impact Investment Firm of 2019 by the East Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. 

The award follows successful expansion of DOB’s portfolio across the region in 2019, as well as its value creation within its existing portfolio. 

DOB Equity has received the award for the second year in a row reflecting DOB Equity’s significant presence in East Africa. DOB Equity has offices in both Kenya and Dar es Salaam and a portfolio that is diversified across all countries in the region and a variety of sectors. 

DOB invests venture capital and growth finance to back excellent management teams with business models that are impactful, innovative and scalable.

DOB Equity also announces that its CEO, Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, will relocate back to Europe with her family. DOB Equity has been preparing for a leadership transition within the firm and is pleased to announce 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 says: “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.”

Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, CEO of DOB Equity, says: “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 anddelighted to have found such a strong succession team within our organization in Saskia, Hayo and Toine.”

Saskia van der Mast, Hayo Afman and Toine Huijbers comment: “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 expansion of our investment portfolio whilst boosting impact and value in our existing companies”.