KKR announced new leadership positions for its Private equity units

KKR leadership changes occurred this week. The private equity giant promoted six people (in three pairs) to lead the firm’s private equity businesses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

The firm named Pete Stavros and Nate Taylor as co-leaders in the Americas.

It named Mattia Caprioli and Philipp Freise as co-heads in Europe.

Finally, it appointed both Hirofumi Hirano and Ashish Shastry for its Asia-Pacific group.

“While our firm has evolved over the years, private equity is where it all began,” said Henry Kravis and George Roberts, Co-Chief Executive Officers and Co-Founders of KKR. “ Today, this asset class remains as important as ever as it continues to support companies and communities and meet the critical needs of our fund investors. We believe these promotions will enable us to maintain our leadership in private equity for decades to come.”

About the KKR Leadership in the Americas

• First, Pete Stavros joined KKR in 2005. Since then, he has worked across the healthcare, media, and industrial sectors in the Americas. He helped lead a number of the firm’s investments, including HCA. Since 2010, Stavros has led the Industrials investment team. During his time in the role, he pioneered an innovative employee engagement and ownership model. That model has been central to deals like Gardner Denver, Capsugel, Capital Safety, and CHI Overhead Doors.
• Second, Nate Taylor joined KKR in 2005. Taylor relocated to Asia in 2009 to support the firm’s leadership in growing the Asia Private Equity business. He helped establish and scale the firm’s business in India. In 2014, he returned to Menlo Park. Eventually, Taylor took over leadership of the firm’s retail and consumer sectors in the Americas. Furthermore, notable investments during his time have included Nature’s Bounty and Upfield.

About the European Team

• First, Mattia Caprioli joined KKR in 2001. In his eighteen years at the firm, he has worked across a variety of sectors, including industrial, consumer, and healthcare. He also contributed to deals like Walgreens Boots Alliance and Legrand. Since 2010, Caprioli has focused on building out KKR’s European services industry team. He also helped establish the firm’s consumer and leisure services sector.
• Second, Philipp Freise joined KKR in 2001. Working closely with EMEA leadership, he helped establish the firm’s German franchise. He has also contributed to deals like Demag, DSD and Zumtobel, and Axel Springer SE and TeleMünchen Group. Since 2005, Freise has focused on building out EMEA’s Technology Media and Telecom industry vertical.

About the Asia-Pacific Team

• First, Hirofumi Hirano joined KKR in 2013 as CEO of KKR Japan. At KKR. Hirano has lead major investments like Panasonic Healthcare, Pioneer DJ, Calsonic Kansei, Hitachi Koki, and Hitachi Kokusai Electric.
• Second, Ashish Shastry joined KKR in 2016 as Head of Southeast Asia. He is also responsible for building the Southeast Asia business across product lines. Furthermore, he has also been involved in investments in Goodpack, PropertyGuru, MMI Holdings, Joulon, BBP (Impact), and 800 Super (Credit).

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