Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has appointed retired four-star General and former Director of the CIA David Petraeus as Chairman of the firm’s newly created KKR Global Institute. The KKR Global Institute was formed to focus on macro-economic and geopolitical issues and trends which affect the firm’s investments. The institute will also be used to assist KKR’s portfolio companies to expand internationally.
“I have long known and respected General Petraeus and, on behalf of everyone at KKR, I welcome him to the firm. As the world changes and we expand how and where we invest, we are always looking to sharpen the ‘KKR edge’, said Henry Kravis, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of KKR. “With the addition of General Petraeus, we are building on the work we have done to understand the investment implications of public policy, macro-economic, regulatory and technology trends globally. We are pleased to bring all of this expertise together under one umbrella, the KKR Global Institute, to deliver the best of KKR’s insights for our investors.”
In addition to his role as Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, General Petraeus will also support KKR’s investment teams in the diligence process, especially when the firm is considering investments in new geographies.
“KKR is one of the best investment firms in the world,” said General Petraeus. “I am very pleased to join such a great team. I have watched KKR evolve as it adapted to the post-financial crisis world and became a go-to partner for companies worldwide. I look forward to supporting the investment teams in their pursuit of the best opportunities for clients and also being a part of a new initiative to provide additional insights to KKR’s clients and companies.”
General Petraeus is a retired American military officer and former government official. In June 2011, the US Senate unanimously confirmed him as director of the CIA, a role he held from September 2011 until November 2012. Prior to assuming the directorship of the CIA, he was a highly decorated four-star general, serving more than 37 years in the US Army before retiring in August 2011.
General Petraeus’ final assignment in the military was as commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and US forces in Afghanistan. Other four-star assignments included his service as the 10th commander of the US Central Command, where he was responsible for military operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, the Levant and Egypt, and his service as commanding general of the Multi-National Force–Iraq for more than 19 months.
KKR makes private equity, fixed income and other investments in companies in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The firm has $78 billion in assets under management. In addition to its New York headquarters the firm has offices in Menlo Park, San Francisco, Houston, Washington DC, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Mumbai, Dubai and Sydney (www.kkr.com).
© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 5-30-13
