Butcher steps back as Mid Europa promotes two

After ten years at Mid Europa Partners, Craig Butcher has stepped down as a senior partner and the firm’s number two to become a senior advisor. Kiwi national Butcher’s decision to transition to an advisory role at the film was taken to allow him to spend more time with his family, who are based back home in New Zealand.

The firm said he would “continue to maintain close links with Mid Europa and be involved with the portfolio management of those investments that he has led as well as the firm’s investment committee”.

To rebalance the firm’s senior leadership, Mid Europa has promoted two executives to partner: Kerim Turkmen and Nikolaus Bethlen. They join Robert Knorr, Zbigniew Rekusz and Matthew Strassberg  as partners, reporting to managing partner Thierry Baudon.

Turkmen joined the firm in 2007 from GMT Communications Partners and has worked on deals including T-Mobile Czech, Bité and Kent Hospital. In tandem with his promotion, Turkmen will re-locate to Istanbul to lead Mid Europa’s investment activity in Turkey.

Bethlen joined the firm in 2007 from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and has worked on deals including Orange Austria, Invitel and Waberer’s. He remains based in Budapest.

Mid Europa has also promoted Pawel Padusinski to director. He is based in Warsaw and joined the firm in 2005.

Thierry Baudon, Mid Europa‘s managing partner, said in a statement: “Through these promotions we are pleased to reward and recognise the contribution to the firm’s success of these highly talented and committed individuals. We would like to thank Craig for his contribution to the firm over the past decade and look forward to continuing our working relationship with him in this new role.”