KKR Names New Head of London Office
London, November 2, 2004—Kohlberg
Kravis Roberts & Co.(KKR), a leading private
equity firm, announces the appointment of Johannes
Huth as the head of its London office from early
next year when Ned Gilhuly, who helped establish
the office six years ago, returns to the United
States.
Mr Huth will be responsible for developing
KKR’s business across Europe. Mr Huth,
a 44 year old German national, has 14 years
of private equity experience and is fluent in
four languages. He joined KKR in 1999 and has
been involved in several of the firm’s
European investments, including most recently
MTU Aero Engines GmbH and A.T.U. Auto-Teile-Unger
Holding AG.
He will be closely supported by Todd Fisher,
who has played a significant role in building
the London office. Mr Huth and Mr Fisher, who
are both members of KKR, will represent the
London office on the firm’s Investment
and Portfolio Management Committees. Mr Fisher
will also have responsibility for further developing
Capstone-Europe, a strategic management consulting
firm dedicated to working exclusively with KKR
portfolio companies.
Commenting on this appointment and the evolution
of the London office, Henry Kravis, founding
partner of KKR, said, “Our goal in creating
the London office in 1998 was to make KKR a
major factor on the European private equity
stage, and this initiative has been a resounding
success. We are fortunate to have a great team
in London working to take our business there
to the next level.”
Since 1998, KKR’s London office has grown
from two to 18 professionals, with significant
multi-lingual and cultural expertise. KKR’s
local orientation and approach has been invaluable
in enabling it to partner with managements and
other key investors to acquire and build value
in attractive European businesses in five countries.
The firm has invested $4.5 billion of equity
in Europe to date, and currently has a portfolio
of 10 companies.
Mr Gilhuly will stay involved in European activities
for a time even when he is no longer based there,
in order to ensure the most seamless transition
possible. He, Mr Huth, and Mr Fisher will meet
regularly throughout the transition period,
and Mr Gilhuly will remain a director of the
European companies on whose Boards he currently
sits. Mr Kravis will also continue to be very
active and present in Europe. He will work closely
with Mr Huth and the team in London.
Notes to Editors:
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. is one of
the world's leading private equity firms. Its
investment approach is focused on investing
in attractive businesses to implement value
creating strategies. Founded in 1976, KKR has
completed more than 115 transactions in North
America and Europe. Its current European portfolio
consists of 10 companies based in Germany, Austria,
France, the Netherlands, and the UK.
Contacts:
Penrose Financial
Gay Collins
+44 20 7786 4882
gayc@penrose.co.uk
Andrew Nicolls
+44 20 7786 4881
andrewn@penrose.co.uk
Kekst & Co
Ruth Pachman
+1 212 521 4891
ruth-pachman@kekst.com
Molly Morse
+1 212 521 4826
molly-morse@kekst.com
Hering Schuppener
Alexander Geiser
+49 69 921 8740
ageiser@heringschuppener.com
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