Former BVCA chairman Simon Havers has left Baird Capital Partners Europe, the UK affiliate of the US private equity house, an unexpected departure after ten years at the firm. 

A source has confirmed that he no longer leads the UK firm, which he joined back in 2002 after spending four years at ABN AMRO Capital. He is believed to have left last month. 

Prior to the decade-long tenure, Havers also spent 1994 to 1998 with the UK buyout operations of the investment bank Baird, then known as Granville Private Equity Managers. 

In 2005 he was made head of the London office and four years later took responsibility for the European group. 

In August last year, the UK team lost Choices after it was forced into administration amid a squeeze in the care sector after the UK government tightened spending.

Havers' departure comes at a crucial time for BCPE, which is currently trying to raise some £125m for its latest fund. The team last raised just as Havers was appointed boss of the London team, collecting €204m in 2005.