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Economy

Ponnert replaces Lin at Origo

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Lou Lin has retired as Finance Director of Origo Sino-India Plc (LSE: OSI), the investment and strategic advisory company focused on the private equity markets of China and India.

Niklas Ponnert, already a Managing Director of Origo, has been promoted as the company’s new Finance Director.

Lou Lin will stay on with Origo as a consultant and adviser, ensuring an orderly transition, and may take on new responsibilities with the Company at a later date. At the same time, Mr Lin retires as an executive board director of Origo and is replaced in that role by Mr Ponnert on the board.

Niklas Ponnert is already very familiar with Origo and its private equity portfolio and clients, having joined the Company in February 2005. He brings a solid background in investment gained from Siemens Venture Capital, where he was a founding member of Siemens Acceleration Fund, associated with Siemens investments in six Chinese private companies.

Previously, Mr. Ponnert worked with LECG, Inc, a NASDAQ-listed financial services firm. A Swedish national, he received his BA with highest honours from the University of California at Berkeley. He resides in Beijing since 2001 and is a fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese.

Chris Rynning, Chief Executive of Origo, commented: “As a fellow alumnus of University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, I have known Lou Lin for many years. I respect his desire to spend more time with his family, and Origo and I will miss him and his hard work."

“I welcome Niklas as Finance Director and an executive board director. He has done an excellent job in keeping us financially disciplined while protecting the best of Origo’s entrepreneurial culture.”

"Working at Origo has been a great experience," said Lou Lin. "I am leaving the Company in good hands with a remarkable team of professionals who will continue to build on Origo’s achievements."

Niklas Ponnert commented: “My primary short-term responsibility will be to realise Origo’s portfolio investments, while continuing to build a strong financial platform for the Company.”

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