London – KKR today announced the appointment of Philippe de Backer as Managing Director of European Public Affairs, effective 1 January, 2025. Philippe, who is based in KKR’s London office, will report to Ken Mehlman, Partner and Global Head of Public Affairs and Co-Head of Global Impact.
Philippe was previously a member of the European Parliament focusing on financial regulation, industrial policy, investment, innovation and infrastructure and also served as State Secretary and Minister for the Belgian Government. With a background in healthcare investing and life sciences, Philippe has also held advisory roles with top-tier strategic consulting firms, private equity funds and venture capital funds.
Commenting on the appointment, Ken Mehlman said: “Philippe’s unique combination of public and private sector experience will help KKR invest in solutions to critical policy challenges at the heart of the European agenda such as supporting digitization, investing behind the energy transition, and accelerating workforce development as well as navigating Europe’s evolving regulatory and political landscape for KKR. His expertise can help us anticipate policy change, make better investments and ensure that our firm remains at the forefront of responsible investment in today’s dynamic and highly complex European environment.”
Tara Davies and Mattia Caprioli, Co-Heads of KKR EMEA, added: “As a relationship driven firm, stakeholder engagement grounded in trust and transparency is a crucial component of how we create value. We welcome Philippe to the firm, and look forward to benefitting from his strong diplomacy and expertise in navigating the intersection of policy, regulation and business.”
KKR has been investing in Europe for over 25 years, opening its first office in the region in London in 1999. The firm employs over 550 people across its 11 EMEA offices, and manages approximately $100 billion in assets across Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit and Real Estate in the region.
About Philippe de Backer
Philippe, 45, a Belgian citizen, is a former politician and business leader with extensive experience in public policy and the private sector. As a Member of European Parliament from 2011 to 2016, Philippe was involved in the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee, as well as the committees on Transport, Industry, Research and Energy. In 2016, Philippe transitioned to the Belgian federal government, where he served as Secretary of State for Social Fraud, Privacy, and the North Sea. Later, he became Minister of Administrative Simplification, Digital Agenda, Telecom, and Postal Services, where he led initiatives on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the modernization of public services.
In 2020, he was the head of the Belgian Covid Taskforce securing logistical support to Belgian hospitals and testing centers and after stepping down in November 2020, Philippe became an advisor to strategic consulting firms, private equity funds and life-sciences venture capital funds in the areas of (bio)technology, crisis management, transformation and strategy.
Philippe holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Ghent University and an MBA from Solvay Business School.
