KKR today announced that Jorge Fergie is joining the firm as Managing Director to head its São Paulo, Brazil office and business development in Brazil, effective March 1, 2013.
“As one of the world’s largest economies, Brazil is an important area of growth for KKR. Jorge Fergie is a great leader for our business and we’re confident he will further enable us to find and act on good opportunities for our investors.”
In this role, Jorge will work with KKR’s global investment teams and KKR Capstone, operational improvement experts who work exclusively with our portfolio companies, to lead KKR’s investment activity in Brazil.
Henry Kravis and George Roberts, Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers of KKR, stated: “As one of the world’s largest economies, Brazil is an important area of growth for KKR. Jorge Fergie is a great leader for our business and we’re confident he will further enable us to find and act on good opportunities for our investors.”
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Fergie spent nearly 29 years at McKinsey & Company (“McKinsey”) where he was instrumental in establishing McKinsey’s business in Brazil and throughout Latin America. He is a seasoned executive who has served as an advisor to governments and leading Latin American and multinational companies, supporting them in major transformational programs, including identifying and implementing operational improvements, restructurings and privatization programs. He most recently led the Private Equity practice at McKinsey in Brazil and Latin America. Prior to that he led the Media and Telecom practices and worked in a wide variety of key sectors of the economy.
“We are very excited to have Jorge join us and work with Henrique Meirelles to continue building our business in Brazil. Jorge’s deep strategic and operational expertise and history of helping companies achieve their ambitions fits well with our investment approach,” said Alex Navab, Member of KKR and Co-head of the firm’s private equity business in the Americas. “Jorge’s appointment is an important milestone in our growth in and commitment to Brazil.”
In June, 2012, KKR appointed Henrique Meirelles, former Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil and former President of FleetBoston’s Corporate and Global Bank, as a Senior Advisor to the firm.
Henrique Meirelles commented, “Brazil continues to be fertile ground for investment opportunities. Jorge is well-respected in the business community, and I look forward to continuing to build out a high quality and differentiated investment team in Brazil with him and the rest of KKR’s global team to benefit Brazilian companies and KKR’s investors.”
Jorge Fergie added, «KKR is a pioneer of the private equity industry, and I am delighted to be joining such a world-class business. I was drawn to the firm because of its long track record of success around the globe, its philosophy of long-term, value-added investing and differentiated capabilities that will drive its long-term success in Brazil. KKR doesn’t just offer capital; it seeks to be a partner to leading local companies and entrepreneurs.”
Mr. Fergie holds a M-Sc. Degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University. Currently he is a member of the Executive Committee of the São Paulo Biennale.
KKR conducts business in Brazil through its subsidiary, KKR do Brasil Gestão de Investimentos e Participações Ltda.
Founded in 1976 and led by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, KKR is a leading global investment firm with $66.3 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2012. With offices around the world, KKR manages assets through a variety of investment funds and accounts covering multiple asset classes. KKR seeks to create value by bringing operational expertise to its portfolio companies and through active oversight and monitoring of its investments. KKR complements its investment expertise and strengthens interactions with investors through its client relationships, capital markets and global stakeholder relations platform. KKR & Co. L.P. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: KKR), and references to KKR in this release include its subsidiaries, their managed investment funds and accounts, and/or their affiliated investment vehicles, as appropriate.