The head of Europe’s private equity trade body, who had been leading the industry's campaign against controversial new European regulations, will step down once the rules are voted through following a difficult fight to influence the legislative process.

Javier Echarri, who has been the secretary general at the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association for 10 years, will leave the body at the end of the year, or sooner if the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive is voted through before then.