The Board of directors is composed of seasoned professionals with considerable experience of growing substantial infrastructure and power businesses that operate across the world.
Jim has recently joined Empower after 14 years with Balfour Beatty plc, the UK’s largest and most profitable construction contractor, where he held an executive directorship. He established the company’s PFI/PPP division in 1994 and developed the company into the largest construction investor in UK PFI/PPP projects, with 20 live concessions, committed equity of over £300m and turnover of £555m.
In 1996 he also took over the company’s rail division, growing it both organically and through acquisition into an international leader in the renewal, development and maintenance of fixed rail infrastructure, increasing turnover eleven-fold from £70 to £770m in 10 years.
Prior to Balfour Beatty, Jim worked for GTE, GEC and the UK Civil Service, where he worked on a variety of projects including the restructuring of the nuclear design and construction industry, monitoring the performance of the Atomic Energy Authority and electricity policy. Jim has an MA from Cambridge University and a B.Phil from York University.
Torbjorn is co-head of Actis' infrastructure business, with specific responsibility for its power related activities. Torbjorn has 20 years of experience in the energy sector, most of it in emerging markets. He joined Actis late 2007 from Globeleq, the emerging markets power company. Torbjorn was directly involved in Globeleq's initial acquisitions in Africa and Asia and he oversaw all commercial, operational and business development activities in Africa, before taking over as Globeleq's CEO. As CEO he re-focused the company and managed Globeleq through the sale of the majority of its operating assets.
Before joining Globeleq, he spent three years as an entrepreneur and CEO of a leading niche technology company. Between 1987 and 1999 Torbjorn held various positions with increasing responsibility within the ABB group.
He has a Masters of Science in mechanical engineering from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and an MBA from IMD in Switzerland.
Michael recently joined the Board and is co-head of Actis’.
Michael joined Actis in 1995 as an investment executive for Latin America and subsequently became a manager in the Natural Resources Group. He moved to Bolivia in 2001, heading Actis's Latin America operations, where he was responsible for an investment portfolio of US$250 million.
Before joining Actis, Michael spent four years with Arthur Andersen in London and Buenos Aires, and two years in Korea as an economics analyst.
Michael holds a degree in Economics from the University of Durham and is a chartered accountant.
