Brian Irvine
Head: Africa Structured Debt and Trade Solutions
Since 2017, I have led a Global team that optimises supply chains, agency support, risk sharing, and funding as it pertains to the term export credit market (ECA). We mobilise projects and infrastructure investments including equity, mezzanine, and senior debt financing. In our core markets of sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, North America, India, and Australia, we specialise in: capital goods, financials, food, healthcare, leisure, mining, aviation, power and infrastructure, property, asset based finance, support services, technology, media, and telecoms.
Recently I have been given the responsibility of managing the Group's Africa lending businesses. This includes export and agency finance (ECA), institutional trade finance, corporate lending, sponsors, and property finance.
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Background/experience
My career started as Regional Head of Specialised Finance for the Pretoria office of Investec in 2004.
In 2008, I moved to ABSA Capital as the Head of Africa and Institutional Coverage across the Corporate and Investment Bank and focused on providing financing solutions to clients across all offerings of the Corporate and Investment Bank.
Drawing on more than 20 years investment banking experience, I have been involved in most aspects of debt, capital, and secondary market products. I returned to Investec to head up Corporate and Institutional Coverage within the Corporate and Institutional Banking division, covering Corporates, SMEs, Africa, and Institutions. In this position, I was also responsible for the Group’s Africa strategy and business initiatives.
Qualifications
Chartered Accountant (SA) & LLB
What I love about working at Investec
What I enjoy most about working at Investec is the entrepreneurial culture. Working here is the closest that one will get to running your own business within a corporate environment. This creates flexibility to innovate and supports a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
My interests and hobbies
What I enjoy doing most in my spare time is flying small fixed-wing aircraft. Not only is it a family-inclusive hobby, but the nature of flying is such that it creates a complete break from my daily work routine and considerations. Flight makes our great country more accessible and provides a very different perspective and experience to life.