2023 was an eventful year for Nordic Capital. It saw continued strong performance with seven platform acquisitions and three divestments. With its early decision to adapt a specialist mindset and sub-sector strategy, Nordic Capital continues to work with some of the world’s most exciting companies, as well as attracting and developing the industry’s best talent. It is a pleasure to announce four Partner promotions within the investment advisory team, reflecting the firm’s growth, as well as the depth and breadth of the leadership team at Nordic Capital Advisors.

Nordic Capital has continued to build upon its strong talent base, with 230 employees across its fund and advisory teams now working from ten offices in three continents.

In the wake of its ongoing growth and strong performance, Nordic Capital is pleased to welcome four new Investment Advisory Partners, all with a long history at the firm. All four individuals have been promoted within the organisation, in recognition of their contributions to its success, strategy, culture and values.

Joakim Andreasson is based in Stockholm and is part of the Industrial and Business Services team. Joakim joined Nordic Capital Advisors in 2008 and has played a significant role in developing a successful specialised approach within the Advanced Services sub-sector, with key expertise on circular business models and sustainable transformations.

Joel Davidkin is based in New York. He joined Nordic Capital Advisors in 2012 and is a key member of the Healthcare team. Joel has been critical to building Nordic Capital’s presence and expertise in the US market. He has led several significant investments focused on the fields of Medical Technology & Life Sciences.

Christopher Ekdahl is based in Stockholm and is a senior member of the Financial Services team. Since joining Nordic Capital Advisors in 2011, Christopher has played a significant role in developing Nordic Capital’s deep expertise in Financial Services, especially in Retail Lending and Property and Casualty Insurance sub-sectors.

David Samuelson is based in London. He joined Nordic Capital Advisors in 2010 and is a senior member of the Evolution Advisory team, where he specialises in Financial Services and Financial Markets Software in the mid-market segment. David has been vital in developing the mid-market strategy. The Evolution fund closed in record time in 2021 and has since made eight platform investments in Nordic Capital’s selected sectors.

Kristoffer Melinder, Managing Partner, Nordic Capital Advisors, commented:

“At Nordic Capital, success is built on both personal dedication and a collaborative culture with strong team values. These promotions exemplify this, with each of the four new partners adding to the strength and experience of the firm and further building our organisation for the future. Each of the new partners has significantly contributed to Nordic Capital’s growth throughout the years – many congratulations for their well-deserved promotions.”

Media contacts:

Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud
Communications Manager, Nordic Capital Advisors
Tel: +46 8 440 50 50

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading sector-specialised private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 23 billion in 140 investments. The most recent entities are Nordic Capital XI with EUR 9.0 billion in committed capital and Nordic Capital Evolution with EUR 1.2 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, the UK, the US, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and South Korea. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com.

“Nordic Capital” refers to, depending on the context, any, or all, Nordic Capital branded entities, vehicles, structures, and associated entities. The general partners and/or delegated portfolio managers of Nordic Capital’s entities and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which are referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.

New York – January 29, 2024 – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that Thomas R. Nides, former long-time Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley, Deputy Secretary of State, and Ambassador to Israel has joined the firm as Vice Chairman, Strategy and Client Relations. In this new role, Mr. Nides will support a variety of strategic firmwide initiatives and special projects, as well as focus on senior client relationships globally.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom Nides to Blackstone. Tom has operated at the highest levels of both the public and private sectors and brings a wealth of relationships across the financial, government and geographic spectrum. We are still in the early innings of our global expansion and believe he will be a tremendous asset to our people and clients.”

Tom Nides said: “Blackstone’s world-class people, consistent outperformance, and high-integrity culture have contributed to its stature as a leading global investment platform with considerable wind at its back. I’m excited to join this high-caliber team to help support the firm’s continued growth.”

Mr. Nides has extensive experience in both the public and private sector. He served as the United States’ Ambassador to Israel from 2021 to 2023. Prior to that, he spent over a decade at Morgan Stanley in various capacities including Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman. Nides was appointed Deputy Secretary of State and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. State Department by President Barack Obama and was awarded the nation’s highest diplomatic honor by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for his service. He has also previously been a senior leader at Credit Suisse, Fannie Mae, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and on Capitol Hill.

Nides currently serves on the boards of the Partnership for Public Service, the International Rescue Committee, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Urban Alliance Foundation. He received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota. He formerly served as chairman of the board of the Woodrow Wilson Center.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which we invest. Our more than $1 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Media Contact
Matt Anderson
518-248-7310
Matthew.Anderson@blackstone.com

WAYNE, PA – January 24, 2024 – Renovus Capital Partners (“Renovus”), a Philadelphia-area based investment firm, is pleased to announce today that Jason Tanker, a seasoned private equity professional, has joined the team as Managing Director to oversee the firm’s Technology Services practice. In this new role, Tanker will work closely with leadership to identify new investment opportunities, implement growth strategies and create value within portfolio companies.

Tanker brings over fifteen years of middle market private equity experience to Renovus. He has an extensive track record in the technology services space, with several successful prior investments and a proven reputation for working hand-in-hand with executive teams to unlock potential and maximize value.

“Jason is an ideal addition to Renovus as we continue our commitment to building an A+ team,” said Jesse Serventi, Founding Partner at Renovus. “He brings significant experience to our Technology Services practice and will play an integral role in capitalizing on the many attractive opportunities we see in the area.”

“I’m thrilled to join Renovus at this exciting time for the firm,” added Tanker. “Renovus offers an unrivaled partnership for founders and management teams in the lower middle market, providing not just capital but a compelling fusion of expertise and resources. I look forward to building on the firm’s fantastic track record of nurturing high-performing companies and accelerating growth.”

Tanker most recently worked for more than a decade at Norwest Equity Partners. He is a Philadelphia native and received his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his BBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Michigan.

Ratos has appointed Kimmo Rauhala as the new CEO of LEDiL. He joined LEDiL in 2020 as Chief Commercial Officer and is a proven leader with more than 30 years of international business experience. He will assume his new position today.

Kimmo Rauhala’s long experience covers several different industries and business segments, including multi-disciplined engineering, design and automotive. Before he joined LEDiL in 2020 he came from a senior position in AQ Trafotek under the listed company AQ Group from the field of power electronics. He is experienced in leading global operations with large key accounts.

“I’m delighted that Kimmo Rauhala is the new CEO of LEDiL. He knows the company well and is a natural successor. He has played an active and important role in LEDiL’s positive development in recent years. Furthermore, he has a broad skillset and long experience that will be important to maintaining the positive trend in LEDiL and its continued profitable growth journey through both organic growth and add-on acquisitions in the coming years,” says Jonas Wiström, Chairman of the Board, LEDiL and President & CEO, Ratos.

“I am proud and honored to have the opportunity to lead LEDiL. We will continue to grow through innovations and highest quality customer service going forward. The future for secondary optics for LED lighting is bright as our state-of-the-art optical solutions help create light that enhances wellbeing, functionality, safety and sustainability when we are building a more sustainable society. LEDiL has a unique position in this market. Together with the great team at LEDiL, I am looking forward to taking the company to the next level, says Kimmo Rauhala, CEO, LEDiL.

The former CEO of LEDiL, Petteri Saarinen, has decided to take on new challenges outside the company.

About LEDiL
LEDiL is a Finnish based, global leader within secondary optics for LED lighting. The company designs, develops and sells secondary optics for LED lighting globally. Secondary optics process light from the LED to achieve the luminaries’ optimal function, with the highest energy efficiency possible. Development and design are carried out in Salo, Finland. Products are sold worldwide through the company’s own sales force, agents and distributors. The company’s products are primarily used in commercial applications such as street lighting, retail and offices. The number of employees is approximately 110.

For more information, please contact:
Jonas Wiström, Chairman of the Board, LEDiL and President & CEO, Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Josefine Uppling, VP Communication, Ratos, +46 76 114 54 21
Kimmo Rauhala, CEO, LEDiL, +35 8 50 558 37 68

About Ratos
Ratos is a business group consisting of 17 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer and Industry. The companies have approximately SEK 34 billion in net sales (LTM). Our business concept is to own and develop companies that are or can become market leaders. We have a distinct corporate culture and strategy – everything we do is based on our core values: Simplicity, Speed in execution and It’s All About People. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas.

Ken Caplan & Lionel Assant Promoted to Co-Chief Investment Officers of Blackstone
Nadeem Meghji Promoted to Global Co-Head of Blackstone Real Estate

NEW YORK – January 11, 2024 – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that Ken Caplan, current Global Co-Head of Real Estate, and Lionel Assant, European Head of Private Equity, have been elevated to newly created roles as Global Co-Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) of Blackstone. They will enhance the coordination and oversight of the Firm’s already rigorous investment process. Nadeem Meghji, Head of Real Estate Americas, will succeed Mr. Caplan as Global Co-Head of Real Estate alongside current Global Co-Head, Kathleen McCarthy.

These promotions underscore the increasing breadth of the Firm’s investment strategies and continued expansion, having recently surpassed $1 Trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM). The three executives collectively bring more than 60 years of Blackstone investing experience to what is expected to be an extremely active deployment period, with over $200 billion of dry powder.

Steve Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Blackstone, said: “We are delighted to elevate three of our longest-tenured investors into these critical positions, as the firm readies itself for an active investment period. They bring strong track records of delivering for our customers, considerable institutional knowledge, and exceptional investment acumen to these new roles.”

Jon Gray, President & COO of Blackstone, said: “The promotion of these highly talented executives will help the firm better identify compelling global investment themes while also enhancing our disciplined investment process.”

Mr. Assant joined Blackstone in 2003 and has run the Firm’s European Private Equity business based in London since 2012. He will continue to serve in that capacity and, as Co-CIO of Blackstone, work in conjunction with the business unit CIOs and Group Heads to provide additional firm-level investment oversight across our Private Equity (PE) complex, including our Corporate PE, Infrastructure, Tactical Opportunities, Growth, and Life Sciences businesses.

Mr. Caplan joined Blackstone in 1997, led the Firm’s European Real Estate business from 2012-2015, served as Real Estate CIO from 2015-2017, and has co-headed the global Real Estate business alongside Ms. McCarthy since 2018. As Co-CIO, he will work in conjunction with the business unit CIOs and Group Heads to provide additional firm-level investment oversight, primarily across Real Estate and Credit & Insurance (BXCI).

CIOs across Blackstone will continue to report into their respective business units including Mike Zawadzki, CIO of Credit and Insurance (BXCI); David Ben-Ur, CIO of BAAM Portfolio Solutions (BPS); and Prakash Melwani, CIO of Corporate Private Equity, who will have an expanded role as Chairman of Blackstone Capital Partners (BCP) International.

Mr. Meghji joined Blackstone Real Estate in 2008 and since 2017 has overseen our Real Estate business in the Americas. He has helped lead the enormous growth of Blackstone’s U.S. and Canadian Real Estate business across its Opportunistic (BREP), institutional and private wealth Core+ (BPP & BREIT), with over $200 Billion of AUM and total asset value of approximately $400 Billion.

The firm also announced today the promotion of Gio Cutaia to be Global Chief Operating Officer of Real Estate. He will continue to lead Global Real Estate Asset Management (a role he has held since 2018), and in that capacity help manage the over 12,000 assets in Blackstone’s real estate portfolio.

Kathleen McCarthy, Global Co-Head, Real Estate, said: “Ken is a remarkable leader who I have loved partnering with. We look forward to his continued impact on our business as Co-CIO of the firm. Nadeem is the perfect leader to succeed Ken, given his tremendous investment acumen and operational experience. I am excited to partner with him in the years ahead. Nadeem and I are thrilled to elevate Gio Cutaia, who will play a critical role helping us oversee this world-class business.”

About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Contacts
Matt Anderson
Phone: 518-248-7310
Email: matthew.anderson@blackstone.com

Jeff Kauth
Phone: 212-583-5395
Email: jeffrey.kauth@blackstone.com

Miguel Segura, Partner

Miguel joined Cinven in 2012 and is a member of the Business Services team and the Iberia regional team. He has been involved in a number of transactions, including Amara NZero, HBX Group (previously Hotelbeds), MasMovil, Planasa, Spire, Tinsa, Ufinet and Ufinet International.

Tarek Bayazid, Partner

Tarek joined Cinven in 2014 and is a member of the Investor Relations and Fundraising team. Since joining Cinven, he has contributed to the successful fundraisings of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Cinven Funds, the Strategic Financials Fund and capital raising for numerous co-investments.  He is the principal point of contact for Cinven’s investors in the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Commenting on these promotions, Stuart McAlpine, Managing Partner of Cinven, said:

“Congratulations to Miguel and Tarek on their well-deserved achievement. Both have made a significant contribution to Cinven’s success over the years and their promotions reflect our commitment to the development of talent within the firm.” 

“Having just achieved the hard cap for our latest fund, the Eighth Cinven Fund, raising $14.5 billion, Cinven is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities 2024 brings and we look forward to the year ahead.” 

JMI Equity, a growth equity firm focused on investing in leading software companies, is pleased to announce two JMI investment professionals have been recognized by GrowthCap among the Top 40 Under 40 Growth Investors of 2023. General Partner Larry Contrella and Principal Mac Williams are included amongst the impressive list of awardees.

The exceptional individuals being recognized this year have been at the forefront for years, playing lead roles in developing the world of growth equity and growth buyouts into what it has become today. Many of this year’s candidates received a remarkable number of substantive nominations from CEOs and other colleagues who had worked extensively with the candidate. The most highly endorsed were then selected for final rounds where they were further evaluated on the depth of their deal experience, ability to help the companies they invest in, collaborative work style, and progression towards firm and industry leadership roles, among other attributes.

Larry Contrella, a General Partner in the Baltimore office, joined JMI in 2010. He is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities as well as providing strategic and operational support to portfolio companies. Larry is currently a director of Apptegy, Bloomerang, ChurnZero, Incident IQ, RainFocus, and Raptor Technologies.

Mac Williams, a Principal in the Baltimore office, joined JMI in 2016. He is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities as well as providing strategic and operational support to portfolio companies. Mac is a director at OnBoard and Raptor Technologies and a board observer at Apptegy, Higher Logic, Ontic, and UKG.

Disclaimer: GrowthCap is a leading growth capital research and advisory firm. The criteria considered for this award is determined by GrowthCap and may include quality of the feedback they received from firm colleagues, portfolio company CEOs, and/or peers in the industry, breadth of deal experience, recent investments and exits, demonstrated leadership, and uniqueness of capabilities, among other attributes. The award is the subjective determination of the party conferring the award and not of JMI Equity. JMI Equity submitted nominations for the investment professionals to be considered for and, once selected, paid to be included on, and to promote inclusion on, this list. The investment professionals received this award in 2024 and Larry Contrella has also received this award in 2019-2022. For more information about GrowthCap, please see their website at growthcapadvisory.com.  JMI is not responsible for the contents of any third-party website and has not confirmed the accuracy of any information provided therein.

Four new trainees began their traineeships at Tesi on January 8, 2024.

Reetta Laaksonen, who started as a trainee in the Fund Investments team, studies Economics at Aalto University. Previously, Reetta has worked in consulting.

Iina Mäkelä and Calvin Nsombo started as trainees in the Direct Investment teams. Iina studies Finance at Aalto University and has previously worked at Nordea and Volvo Finland Ab. Calvin studies Strategy at Aalto University. He has previous work experience from Mandatum Asset Management and Nordea.

Lassi Palviainen, who started as a Legal Trainee, studies Law at the University of Lapland. He has previous work experience from a law firm.

We warmly welcome Reetta, Iina, Calvin and Lassi and wish them rewarding experiences!

Tesi (officially Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a state-owned, market-driven investment company that invests in venture capital and private equity funds and directly in Finnish startups and growth companies.
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