Team

Chris has extensive experience in developing power and infrastructure projects in Africa, having overseen initiatives valued at more than $4 billion combined. He was appointed as CEO of Lekela in March 2015 by the board.

Before joining Lekela, Chris spent eight years as Group Vice President at Bombardier Transportation, one of the largest rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry companies in the world. Based in Berlin, he was responsible for close to $10 billion in global sales and business development.

Swiss-born, Chris has been active in the energy and infrastructure industry since 1987 in sales and business development positions, including senior management positions at ABB, the leading global electrical engineering group. During an 11-year spell at the company, his roles included Business Area President for ABB Equity Ventures, Regional VP for Asia Pacific and Regional VP of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Chris joined the Lekela team in September 2016, serving as a member of the Executive Committee. He is actively engaged in developing and implementing Lekela’s strategy, leading construction and asset management across our portfolio in Africa.

With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Chris has held numerous senior roles across the industry. He most recently spent 10 years with Globeleq, living and working in Tanzania where he was Head of Asset Management with responsibility for the commercial and technical performance of its Africa wide operating businesses and for managing the Songas power project.

Adam brings a wealth of experience in the energy sector across Africa. In his career to date, he has seen how emerging markets across the continent have become a hotbed for renewable energy as they look to diversify from fossil fuels and support their economic growth through sustainable power.

In February 2016, he joined Lekela as general counsel where he is responsible for all legal and compliance issues. Adam also serves as a member of the Lekela Executive Committee and is a director on operating subsidiary boards throughout the group. Before that, he spent more than seven years at Globeleq as the company’s senior lawyer for Africa.

In his career to date, Adam has advised on the development of greenfield projects and acquisitions, which included the Azito Expansion Project in Cote d’Ivoire, the acquisition of over 300MW in Cameroon and Globeleq’s South African wind and solar projects.

Prior to Globeleq, Adam spent seven years at Clifford Chance, working in three continents with a strong focus on energy and infrastructure in emerging markets.

Michael joined Lekela as CFO in May 2018, with responsibility for all financial matters for the group. Michael also serves as a member of the Lekela Executive Committee and is a director on operating subsidiary boards throughout the group.

With over 20 years of wide-ranging experience, Michael has held a variety of senior head office financial and accounting roles throughout his career and has particular expertise within the energy sector, in both Africa and Central America.

Prior to Lekela, Michael had been Director of Finance for Globeleq, responsible for managing the finance function, and working across Africa to establish new businesses and strategic projects as well as overseeing existing operations. He previously held positions at Actis, CDC Group, Close Brothers and NatWest UK.

Mikael Joined Lekela in March 2016 and is responsible for all of the company’s business development activity in Sub-Saharan Africa. That involves identifying and analysing opportunities in different markets for wind and solar projects.

His background in energy investments and project financing is well matched to his current role, having spent the past 25 years in private equity and project and structured financing of infrastructure and energy projects. Mikael came to Lekela from Sustainable Technologies Fund in Stockholm, where he was investment director and partner since 2013. Before that, he spent six years as a partner at Platina Energy Partners LLP, one Europe’s leading renewable energy managers.

At Platina he was responsible for deal sourcing, project financing and fundraising. Prior to that, Mikael held senior positions in project and structured corporate finance with Citigroup, GE Capital, ABN AMRO Bank and ABB Financial Services.

Romina joined Lekela in August 2019 and oversees all Human Resources across the UK and African operations. She provides professional HR advice with a focus on talent and performance management, succession planning and employee engagement.

As a member of the Lekela's Executive Committee, she will also contribute to the company’s growth strategy.

Romina has a proven track record in Human Resources, with 20 years of experience working for organisations across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Lekela, Romina spent the past five years at Globeleq, having previously worked for the Fiat Group, Panduit and Bio-Rad Laboratories. Romina is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Jennifer joined Lekela in October 2015 and is responsible for providing oversight for all of Lekela’s projects across Africa, to ensure they are delivered to the highest standards.

In her role, she engages with the community and ensures the company conducts its business conforming to the highest standards of integrity. She also leads the company’s ESG due diligence on projects.

Jennifer has more than 15 years’ experience working in the areas of environmental and sustainability, consulting for a wide range of public and private sector clients including the World Bank, Development Finance Institutions, commercial banks and project developers.

Bernard joined Lekela in August 2018 as Head of Project Finance and is responsible for the financial structuring of all business development investments and will manage all project finance arrangements.

Bernard has over 15 years’ experience in infrastructure and energy, holding a variety of investment roles throughout his career. He has worked in the African energy sector for over 10 years, and has closed multiple complex projects, including 850MW of renewable energy projects in South Africa.

Prior to joining Lekela, Bernard was Investment Director at GreenWish Partners, responsible for business development in Africa. Before this, he was responsible for Mainstream Renewable Power’s commercial activities in Africa and the Middle East and was a key participant in the creation of Lekela.