SAVCA names Anusha Naidu as Chief Executive Officer

Chartered Accountant with two decades in private capital markets takes the helm of South Africa's venture capital and private equity industry body on March 1

The South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has appointed Anusha Naidu as its next chief executive officer, with the role taking effect on March 1.

Naidu comes to SAVCA from Select Africa, African Alliance, where she held the position of corporate finance and ESG executive and sat on the group executive committee. In that capacity, she oversaw capital raising, investor relations, and growth initiatives across several African markets over nearly a decade, with a focus on debt and equity structuring in housing, real estate, and microfinance.

A Chartered Accountant registered in South Africa, Naidu brings more than 20 years of experience across corporate finance, private capital markets, mergers and acquisitions advisory, ESG implementation, and financial services. She previously held senior positions at PwC across offices in London, Dubai, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, advising banks, private equity firms, and institutional investors on transactions spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.

"Anusha's leadership comes at a time of exciting opportunity for the private capital industry," said Vuyo Ntoi, SAVCA board chairperson. "Her deep relationships across the investor ecosystem, combined with her experience in capital formation, governance and ESG, will be instrumental in strengthening SAVCA's role as an industry shaper and catalyst for growth."

Naidu succeeds Tshepiso Kobile, who stepped down in May 2025. During Kobile's tenure, SAVCA participated in regulatory engagements including the Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill and discussions with the Competition Commission and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on public interest considerations in merger transactions. Following Kobile's departure, board member Nicola Gubb served as interim executive director and will return to her board position with Naidu's appointment confirmed.