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Join the Network

The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity and venture capital industry in the UK. Our aim is to aid understanding around the activities of our members, promote our industry to entrepreneurs and investors as well as to Government, the EU, trade unions, international media and the general public. We communicate the industry's impact and reinforce the crucial role our members play in the global economy as a catalyst for change and growth.

Our membership comprises more than 700 influential firms, including over 350 private equity and venture capital firms, as well as institutional investors, professional advisers, service providers and international associations. We work together to provide capital and expertise to growing businesses, to unlock potential and to deliver enhanced returns to the millions who directly and indirectly invest in our industry.

The Role

The goal of the BVCA policy team is to promote a legal, regulatory and tax environment which enables enterprise and investment to flourish and ensure private equity and venture capital plays a full role in the success of the British economy.

As a manager in the BVCA’s policy team, the successful applicant will be provided with a fantastic opportunity to build a detailed understanding of the private equity and venture capital industry, and to represent its interests on a wide range of issues and challenges to political and regulatory stakeholders. A good understanding of the accounting and financial reporting areas specific to the industry is essential, alongside a broad appreciation of the regulatory and taxation environment. The role would suit a qualified accountant (2-4 years PQE) with experience of auditing and advising private equity funds and their managers. 

A core part of the role will be to manage the BVCA’s activities to promote transparency in the industry by working with the Private Equity Reporting Group (PERG). The PERG was created in 2007 as an independent body to monitor the private equity industry’s compliance with Sir David Walker’s Guidelines for Disclosure and Transparency in Private Equity. The role would also require you to lend technical support and manage other projects and activities related to the BVCA’s committees and broader policy agenda.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the BVCA’s activities covering the industry’s compliance with Sir David Walker’s guidelines on disclosure and transparency. This entails managing the PERG’s meetings, reporting process and interaction with private equity firms and their portfolio companies. A good financial reporting background is required as you will co-ordinate the work of the professional services firms involved in the review process, draft the report published by the PERG and work on the future development of the guidelines;
  • Support the Deputy Director General & Director of Policy on matters arising from the BVCA’s Legal and Accounting Committee. This will involve taking ownership of certain legislative files including hosting meetings to collate feedback from members, drafting consultation responses and following up with government officials and regulators;
  • Monitor legal and reporting developments to ensure the BVCA team is kept abreast of incoming consultations, legislation etc;
  • Provide regular updates to members to ensure they are kept informed of key legal and reporting developments within the industry. This includes frequent short-form technical updates, longer-form articles and briefings, and the annual BVCA Tax, Legal and Regulatory conference, while also contributing to the association’s weekly newsletter;
  • Build relationships and networks with key stakeholders and members. This includes private equity and venture capital firms, their investors, advisers, other domestic and international trade bodies and officials within government and regulators;
  • Manage the Committees Executives, who assist the wider BVCA Policy team, supporting their professional development through effective delegation and regular coaching, and reviewing their work output where necessary;
  • Provide and maintain technical content on the BVCA website;
  • Support the IPEV Board in developing and maintain best practice investment valuation guidelines for the private equity and venture capital industry;
  • Work with the BVCA’s public affairs, communications and research teams to ensure consistency in all public messaging;
  • Support the membership team on business development matters where policy team input is required.

Essential Skills/Experience

  • Strong academic background including an accountancy qualification and proven post qualification experience at an accounting firm; Experience of working with private equity/venture capital firms, institutional investors, trade associations, government departments, and/or regulators would also be beneficial;
  • A good understanding of the relevant accounting and financial reporting matters and a broad appreciation of the regulatory and taxation environment;
  • Strong interpersonal and networking skills:  The ability to build relationships is important so you are in a position to understand industry issues, articulate these, empathise with all parties you are working with and provide pragmatic solutions;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate and liaise with senior executives within member firms;
  • Solutions-focussed and able to deal with issues which involvement careful stakeholder management, such as ensuring firms comply with the Walker guidelines;
  • Track record of project management, managing individuals and teams and the ability to work to multiple deadlines simultaneously;
  • Collaborative and consultative approach and a strong work ethic. 

Closing date

Applications for this post closed 11:59pm on Thursday 31st October 2019