Hg evolves leadership team as firm builds on 25 years of growth and innovation
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London, UK – 03 November. Hg, the leading investor in European and transatlantic software, services and data businesses, today announces an evolution in its leadership team. Steven Batchelor and Jean-Baptiste (“JB”) Brian will become Managing Partners and Co-CEOs, supporting the next phase of the firm’s development.
The appointments reflect the firm’s commitment to its clients and long-term strategy, reinforcing Hg’s position as the only transatlantic investor of scale in software and workplace automation technology.
Matthew Brockman and Justin von Simson, who have held these positions since 2017, will both continue in full-time leadership roles at the firm.
Matthew Brockman will continue as Chief Investment Officer and Chair of Hg’s Investment Committee, maintaining a central role in the firm’s investment activities. He will also dedicate increased focus to Hg’s AI strategy, a key pillar of future growth as this technology continues to reshape the software and services industries globally. Justin von Simson will remain on the Hg Board, Investment and Realisation Committees, while continuing to lead the firm’s Munich office and co-lead the Saturn funds alongside Nic Humphries.
Hg’s rotational leadership model has long underpinned the firm’s resilience and long-term focus, reflecting a partnership ethos in which senior colleagues periodically step beyond their core roles to lead the day-to-day management of the business. Each transition has seen former Managing Partners remain in full-time leadership positions, ensuring stability and continuity - an approach established by founders Ian Armitage and Frances Jacob, continued by Nic Humphries, and more recently by Matthew Brockman and Justin von Simson.
Steven Batchelor and JB Brian bring several decades of combined experience at Hg, having first worked together in the early 2000s. Over the past decade, they have helped shape the firm’s strategic direction through roles on the Hg Board and Senior Leadership Team, and as members of the Investment, Realisation and Valuation Committees. Their prior responsibilities span investments, capital solutions, operations and governance.
These appointments reflect Hg’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful succession, with day-to-day leadership transitioning to two long-standing Partners who bring complementary experience across both investment and client leadership.
Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Executive Chair, said: “Steve and JB have been with Hg for most of its 25-year history and have both played instrumental roles in shaping the firm’s success over that time. Their shared experience, commitment to our values, and partnership-driven approach make them ideally placed to take on this responsibility.
“Matthew and Justin have led Hg with clarity, vision and integrity over the past eight years. Under their leadership, the firm has grown significantly, become a transatlantic platform, added deep operational capabilities and established its position as one of the world’s largest technology investors. Matthew’s continued leadership of our investment and AI strategy, and Justin’s leadership of our Munich office and focus on investment and realisation activity, ensure that Hg is exceptionally well positioned for the future.”