Key Takeaways
- • Level 20, the industry body promoting senior women in private equity and venture capital, has appointed Emma Watford, Partner and Head of Sectors at Bridgepoint, as its new Chair effective 15 January 2027.
- • Watford succeeds Rebecca Gibson, Managing Partner at Oakley Capital, who steps down after three years as Chair and will remain on the board.
- • Watford has more than 20 years of industry experience and has been involved with Level 20 since its foundation, joining its Board in January 2026.
- • Watford will work with the Board and executive team to expand Level 20's activities across Europe, according to the announcement.
Summary
Level 20, an industry body focused on increasing the representation of senior women in private equity and venture capital, has named Emma Watford, Partner and Head of Sectors at Bridgepoint, as its new Chair, effective 15 January 2027, according to Funds Europe. Watford succeeds Rebecca Gibson, Managing Partner at Oakley Capital, who is stepping down after three years in the role and will remain on the board.
Watford brings more than 20 years of industry experience. At Bridgepoint she is Head of Sectors and a member of the firm's Private Equity Operating and Investment Committees. She has supported Level 20 since its foundation, serving first on the Advisory Council and then joining the Board in January 2026. As Chair, she will work alongside the Board and executive team to support the organisation's mission and expand its activities across Europe.
Watford is also a member of the UK Takeover Panel and has lectured on private equity law at Oxford University for more than 15 years. She began her career at Morgan Stanley and is a graduate of Oxford University and Harvard Business School, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.
In her statement, Watford said that she had seen first-hand the difference Level 20 has made to women working in private equity, and that the organisation has helped women build relationships and see a path to senior leadership. Gibson said it had been a privilege to chair the organisation, citing the celebration of Level 20's tenth anniversary in 2025 as a particular highlight. Gurpreet Manku, CEO of Level 20, said the appointment positions Watford well to support the organisation's work in its second decade and thanked Gibson for her leadership over the past three years, during which Level 20 has grown its reach and impact across Europe.
Watford brings more than 20 years of industry experience. At Bridgepoint she is Head of Sectors and a member of the firm's Private Equity Operating and Investment Committees. She has supported Level 20 since its foundation, serving first on the Advisory Council and then joining the Board in January 2026. As Chair, she will work alongside the Board and executive team to support the organisation's mission and expand its activities across Europe.
Watford is also a member of the UK Takeover Panel and has lectured on private equity law at Oxford University for more than 15 years. She began her career at Morgan Stanley and is a graduate of Oxford University and Harvard Business School, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.
In her statement, Watford said that she had seen first-hand the difference Level 20 has made to women working in private equity, and that the organisation has helped women build relationships and see a path to senior leadership. Gibson said it had been a privilege to chair the organisation, citing the celebration of Level 20's tenth anniversary in 2025 as a particular highlight. Gurpreet Manku, CEO of Level 20, said the appointment positions Watford well to support the organisation's work in its second decade and thanked Gibson for her leadership over the past three years, during which Level 20 has grown its reach and impact across Europe.
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