KKR has named General David Petraeus as chairman of the Middle East and set up an investment team in the region.
Takeaway Points
- KKR has named General David Petraeus as chairman of the Middle East .
- In this new role, General Petraeus will leverage his extensive Middle East knowledge and stakeholder relationships to strengthen KKR’s presence and partnerships in the region.
- Julian will lead the new regional investment team to identify investment and partnership opportunities in the region.
KKR New Chairman of the Middle East
KKR, a leading global investment firm, said on Monday that it is expanding its presence in the Middle East, including the appointment of General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) as Chairman of KKR Middle East and the establishment of a dedicated investment team in the region led by Julian Barratt-Due, a Managing Director at KKR.
Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR, said, “We view the Middle East as an increasingly important destination for investment, with structural reforms, pro-investment policies, and favorable demographic trends accelerating economic growth. With General Petraeus’ unparalleled insight into the region’s strategic and economic landscape, and Julian’s expertise in optimizing and growing businesses, we believe KKR can be a valuable partner for clients and companies across the Middle East.”
General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.), Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute and Chairman of KKR Middle East, said, “The Middle East is emerging as a leading investment powerhouse with a clear vision, impressive innovation, strong fiscal position, and increasingly partnership-orientated private sector and governments. We see growing opportunities for KKR to partner with leading domestic businesses, bringing differentiated expertise to deliver value while supporting governments’ strategic economic goals. It will be a pleasure to be spending considerable time in the Middle East, and to help build on regional momentum and contribute to its growing global presence.”
Julian Barratt-Due, Managing Director at KKR, commented, “The Middle East represents a compelling investment destination driven by the size and growth of the economy, favorable demographic trends, and a stable currency and jurisdictional climate. As the region’s economy is diversifying and foreign direct investment flows are increasing, we are excited to invest long-term capital and be a partner to businesses and our stakeholders to drive economic growth and value creation aligned with the region’s strategic objectives.”
Who is General Petraeus?
Based on the report, General Petraeus, former CIA Director and former Commander of US Central Command, is a partner at KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which assesses geopolitical issues and supports international growth, as well as a board director and strategic advisor to KKR portfolio companies and the Kissinger Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs.
In this new role , General Petraeus will leverage his extensive Middle East knowledge and stakeholder relationships to strengthen KKR’s presence and partnerships in the region, the firm added.
About Julian Barratt-Due
Julian Barratt-Due, who joined KKR in 2016, has been instrumental in a broad range of infrastructure investments, including the recent agreement to invest in Gulf Data Hub, a major independent data center platform in the Middle East with an owned portfolio of seven purpose-built and state-of-the-art data centers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and extra facilities planned in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, KKR said.
Julian will lead the new regional investment team to identify investment and partnership opportunities in the region, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the firm added.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. It aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities.
KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit, and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life, and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries.
