Message to European policymakers - Invest Europe Industry Priorities 2019-2024

Hello, my name is Joey Borden. I am Chair of Invest Europe, the association representing private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure, as well as the institutions that invest the savings and pensions of millions of European citizens, which is a crucial part of the investment ecosystem in Europe. Last year alone, our industry invested over 80 billion euros in about 8,000 businesses in almost all countries and regions of the European Union. The majority of these businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises across all kinds of industries. Most are not brand names, but you certainly know that venture capital backing helped Spotify become the world leader in music streaming, and that private equity expertise transformed Worldpay from an encore division of a struggling bank into a global payment processing champion.

More likely than not, private equity firms have invested in companies in your constituency. This is good news because private equity invests in businesses to make them better and can achieve truly spectacular results. By building better businesses, private equity plays a vital role in Europe's prosperity, benefiting employees, pensioners, investors, and the wider economy. Private equity backing means capital and expertise that fuels innovation, growth, and job creation.

Invest Europe’s goal is to make a positive contribution to public policy as it affects our industry and its ability to invest across Europe. You will find us a constructive voice in the debate surrounding regulation. To find out more about our key policy priorities, please read our manifesto. My colleagues and I would also be delighted to tell you more about our work and that of forum members. Thank you.