Former Chief Ops of Unilever Joins Blackstone
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Former Chief Ops of Unilever Joins Blackstone

blackstone f1Blackstone has hired Harish Manwani, the former Chief Operating Officer of Unilever, as a new global executive advisor to the firm.  Mr. Manwani retired from Unilever at the end of 2014, where he was responsible for managing Unilever’s P&L in all of the markets in which it operates.

manwani nf1As a global executive advisor, Mr. Manwani will assist and guide selected Blackstone portfolio companies across the world and help in diligencing investment opportunities. In addition, he will help guide portfolio operations and advise the management teams of Blackstone’s Indian portfolio companies.  “I am delighted to be advising Blackstone as a global executive advisor. They are an internationally recognized leader in private equity and I look forward to working closely with the leadership of the portfolio companies to further raising the bar on operational excellence and value creation,” said Mr. Manwani.

Mr. Manwani spent thirty-eight years with Unilever, holding various senior general management positions in different parts of the world, including overseeing Unilever’s businesses in Latin America, North America and Asia. Additionally, Mr. Manwani is the non-executive Chairman of Hindustan Unilever Ltd and serves on several international boards, including Qualcomm, Pearson and Whirlpool.

“We are excited about having Harish on board. His thirty-eight year career as a global operator and business leader in one of the world’s largest consumer goods businesses will be immensely valuable to Blackstone’s portfolio companies,” said David Calhoun, Blackstone’s Global Head of Portfolio Operations.  “His wide ranging general management experience and particular expertise in developing markets will give Blackstone enormous leverage in some of the fastest growing markets in the world.”

Blackstone is one of the world’s largest investment and advisory firms. The firm’s alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-focused funds and closed-end funds. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Blackstone is headquartered in New York (www.blackstone.com).

“I expect that Harish will make a terrific contribution to our group, both in providing advice on deals and in adding value to our current portfolio,” said Joe Baratta, Blackstone’s Global Head of Private Equity.  “I am very pleased he is joining the firm.”

© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-9-15

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