Varel Freeman
First Vice President EBRD
Varel Freeman, First Vice President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has officialy confirmed his participation as speaker at the 5th edition of Forum Invest Energy 2010 to be held between 22nd and 24th of November in London.
"The EBRD addresses the challenges of climate change and energy efficiency by integrating these issues into all of our operations as a core strategic component and competence of the Bank.
We are at the forefront in helping countries from central Europe to central Asia secure sustainable energy supplies, and finance the efficient use of energy that will cut demand and imports, reduce pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The focal point for these operations is the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI), launched in May 2006 to address the twin challenges of energy efficiency and climate change in the region – which is one of the most energy intensive in the world. The SEI is assisted by strong funding support from donor governments and the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund" stated Freeman in the preamble of Forum Invest Energy 2010.
Varel Freeman oversees all banking operations of the EBRD. He chairs the Operations Committee which reviews all investment and loan proposals before consideration by the Board of Directors, and oversees the formulation of the Bank’s strategy to effectively and efficiently promote the transition of the 30 countries where the EBRD invests. Mr. Freeman is also a member of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Freeman has extensive experience in emerging market economies working with both the private and public sector. He joined EBRD in June 2006 from Baring Private Equity Partners, where he was Managing Partner responsible for Barings’ private equity investments in Latin America and Africa. Previously he was partner at Chase Capital Partners responsible for investments in Latin America. Before moving to the private sector, Mr. Freeman was responsible for a substantial portfolio of sovereign lending at the World Bank and later at its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, was responsible for capital markets investments in Latin America and was Director of the Asia Investment Department.
Mr. Freeman graduated from Princeton University with Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Engineering degrees. He also holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
He is a citizen of the United States.
