L Catterton, a consumer-focused private equity firm, said on Tuesday it has hired Chinta Bhagat as co-managing partner and Head of L Catterton’s Asia funds, effective August 30. Bhagat will jointly lead the firm’s Asia platform with co-managing partner, Ravi Thakran.
Bhagat brings more than 25 years of global investment, operations and leadership experience. He joins from Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia, where he is head of private markets for South Asia and head of the global healthcare portfolio.
Prior to his role at Khazanah, Bhagat spent 14 years at McKinsey & Company, including six years serving as managing partner of its Singapore office. He was a leader in the principal investor, healthcare and operations practices, working with private equity and sovereign wealth funds.
L Catterton, which is backed by luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE, hopes to use Bhagat’s experience to execute deals in the health and wellness sector.
Chinese consumers’ growing emphasis on wellness and lifestyle is creating a wave of new investment opportunities, say luxury brand executives. L Catterton has already invested in Will’s Group, one of China’s biggest private gym operators, last year.
“I am excited to contribute broadly to the firm’s consumer healthcare capabilities,” said Bhagat in the statement announcing his move.
Bhagat will join the firm’s bench of about 50 partners worldwide. Since 1989, the firm has made over 250 investments in consumer brands.
“I am pleased to have helped attract him to the Asia team,” said Thakran.
L Catterton was formed through the partnership of Catterton, LVMH and Groupe Arnault.
