Proven Operator Positioned to Accelerate Growth and Product Innovation of Combined Enterprise Will Join by the Fourth Quarter of 2025

Nick Khin to Serve as Interim CEO of Combined Enterprise Following Closing

Combined Enterprise to be Organized Into 3 Business Units:
Gaming (led by Nick Khin), Digital (led by Gil Rotem) and FinTech (led by Darren Simmons)

NEW YORK, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The holding company formed to acquire International Game Technology PLC’s (NYSE: IGT) (“IGT”) Gaming & Digital Business (“IGT Gaming”) and Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE: EVRI) (“Everi”) in connection with the previously announced acquisitions by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (the “Apollo Funds”) today announced that Hector Fernandez will lead the combined enterprise as CEO.

Mr. Fernandez brings a clear track record of success across technology and gaming as well as deep strategic and financial expertise. His diverse experience both inside and outside of the gaming industry is expected to position him well to integrate and lead two highly complementary gaming platforms following the transaction close with a focus on growth, product innovation and content generation. Mr. Fernandez most recently served as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, Aristocrat Leisure Limited’s global land-based gaming content and technology business. During his tenure, he devised and led a number of strategic initiatives that enabled gains in market share across multiple verticals while delivering strong revenue growth and increased profitability.

Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo, stated, “We’re thrilled to name Hector Fernandez as the future CEO of the combined enterprise. As we look to position IGT Gaming and Everi as a premier, diversified customer-centric platform at the forefront of innovation in the gaming and fintech industries, Hector brings an impressive track record of successfully scaling operations and strengthening customer relationships while being a champion for strong values. Hector shares our vision to lead this talented global workforce and will foster a people-first culture across the combined enterprise.”

Mr. Fernandez said, “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this journey with IGT Gaming and Everi. I look forward to partnering with the very talented teams at both companies, as well as the Apollo team leading the transaction.”

Mr. Fernandez will join the combined enterprise by the fourth quarter of 2025 after expiration of a customary non-compete period. Following the transaction close, Nick Khin, President, Global Gaming at IGT, will lead the combined enterprise as Interim CEO until Mr. Fernandez assumes the CEO role.

Following closing, the combined enterprise will be organized into three business units: Gaming, Digital, and FinTech. Upon Mr. Fernandez joining the combined enterprise, Mr. Khin will step into the newly formed role of CEO, Gaming, and will oversee the land-based gaming businesses of the combined enterprise. Gil Rotem, current President of IGT PlayDigital, will serve as CEO, Digital, and Darren Simmons, current Executive Vice President and FinTech Business Leader at Everi, will serve as CEO, FinTech. These appointments expand on the previously announced leadership for the combined enterprise.

Mr. Cohen added, “We’re excited for Nick to take on the additional responsibility of Interim CEO upon closing of the acquisitions and are confident he will succeed in his role of leading the land-based gaming businesses of the combined enterprise once Hector officially joins. Under Nick’s leadership, IGT has meaningfully improved its industry position and continues to release top performing games across channels. We believe his deep understanding of customers and players, as well as his leadership and passion, will help set the foundation for future success. We are also pleased to have leaders of Gil’s and Darren’s caliber from both companies ready to take on key leadership roles in the combined enterprise.”

Mr. Khin commented, “I believe in the tremendous potential of IGT Gaming and Everi as a combined enterprise, and I am honored to serve as Interim CEO once the transactions are completed. I look forward to working alongside Hector, Gil and Darren, and utilizing the opportunities we have in front of us to generate content-rich experiences and deliver unmatched value to our customers.”

Transaction Update

The previously announced acquisitions of IGT Gaming and Everi are still expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025, assuming the timely satisfaction of closing conditions, including certain gaming and regulatory approvals. On November 14, 2024, Everi stockholders approved the transaction. On November 20, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the waiting period under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 expired. The separation of the IGT Gaming business remains on track and is expected to be complete in early 2025.

Integration planning for the combined enterprise is underway, led by a dedicated team comprising representatives of the Apollo Funds, Everi and IGT Gaming.

About Hector Fernandez

Hector Fernandez most recently served as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, overseeing the end-to-end delivery of Aristocrat’s global land-based business in over 300 gaming jurisdictions. Prior to the role of CEO, Hector served as President of the Americas and EMEA from June 2019 to March 2022, where he oversaw the majority of the segment’s operations, as well as the Chief Financial Officer for the Americas for Aristocrat from November 2018 to June 2019. Prior to joining Aristocrat, Hector helped oversee Strategy, Pricing and Planning at Western Digital and other progressive finance, strategy and accounting roles. Mr. Fernandez received an MBA in finance and marketing from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a B.A. in economics/accounting and government from Claremont McKenna College.

About Apollo

Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three investing strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of September 30, 2024, Apollo had approximately $733 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.

Contacts

Noah Gunn
Global Head of Investor Relations
(212) 822-0540
IR@apollo.com

Joanna Rose
Global Head of Corporate Communications
(212) 822-0491
Communications@apollo.com

London, 2 December, 2024 – KKR today announced the appointment of Philippe de Backer as Managing Director of European Public Affairs, effective 1 January, 2025. Philippe, who is based in KKR’s London office, will report to Ken Mehlman, Partner and Global Head of Public Affairs and Co-Head of Global Impact.

Philippe was previously a member of the European Parliament focusing on financial regulation, industrial policy, investment, innovation and infrastructure and also served as State Secretary and Minister for the Belgian Government. With a background in healthcare investing and life sciences, Philippe has also held advisory roles with top-tier strategic consulting firms, private equity funds and venture capital funds.

Commenting on the appointment, Ken Mehlman said: “Philippe’s unique combination of public and private sector experience will help KKR invest in solutions to critical policy challenges at the heart of the European agenda such as supporting digitization, investing behind the energy transition, and accelerating workforce development as well as navigating Europe’s evolving regulatory and political landscape for KKR.  His expertise can help us anticipate policy change, make better investments and ensure that our firm remains at the forefront of responsible investment in today’s dynamic and highly complex European environment.”

Tara Davies and Mattia Caprioli, Co-Heads of KKR EMEA, added: “As a relationship driven firm, stakeholder engagement grounded in trust and transparency is a crucial component of how we create value. We welcome Philippe to the firm, and look forward to benefitting from his strong diplomacy and expertise in navigating the intersection of policy, regulation and business.”

KKR has been investing in Europe for over 25 years, opening its first office in the region in London in 1999. The firm employs over 550 people across its 11 EMEA offices, and manages approximately $100 billion in assets across Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit and Real Estate in the region.

About Philippe de Backer

Philippe, 45, a Belgian citizen, is a former politician and business leader with extensive experience in public policy and the private sector. As a Member of European Parliament from 2011 to 2016, Philippe was involved in the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee, as well as the committees on Transport, Industry, Research and Energy. In 2016, Philippe transitioned to the Belgian federal government, where he served as Secretary of State for Social Fraud, Privacy, and the North Sea. Later, he became Minister of Administrative Simplification, Digital Agenda, Telecom, and Postal Services, where he led initiatives on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the modernization of public services.

In 2020, he was the head of the Belgian Covid Taskforce securing logistical support to Belgian hospitals and testing centers and after stepping down in November 2020, Philippe became an advisor to strategic consulting firms, private equity funds and life-sciences venture capital funds in the areas of (bio)technology, crisis management, transformation and strategy.

Philippe holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Ghent University and an MBA from Solvay Business School.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR 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. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Media Contact:

Annabel Arthur

media@kkr.com

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London, 12 November 2024 – Alantra, the independent global mid-market financial services firm, has bolstered its technology investment banking practice with the appointment of Anja Proeve as Managing Director. Based in London, Anja will focus on the software and fintech sub-sectors.

Anja brings over 20 years of experience working with corporate and private equity clients on strategic M&A, equity, and debt financing options. She joins Alantra from HSBC in London where she was Managing Director and Head of Software/Fintech. Previously, she spent time on the buy-side as a Senior Investment Director at Keensight Capital in Paris. Her extensive investment banking background also includes roles in the technology investment banking teams at Morgan Stanley in London, Barclays Capital in London, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York City.

Alantra’s technology investment banking team has a proven track record of helping emerging and established technology businesses deliver on their financing, M&A, and strategic objectives. The team covers a range of technology sub-sectors, such as Software, Technology Consulting, Managed Services, Fintech, Online/eCommerce, Digital Infrastructure, and Gaming. Headquartered in London, the team has 40 expert members based across the UK, U.S., Germany, France, Benelux, and the Nordics. In the last twelve months, the team has completed 28 transactions worth over €2.9bn.

Alantra is actively looking to scale its technology practice by adding senior sub-sector specialists across the tech ecosystem and has also recently strengthened its digital infrastructure team with the hire of Bagdat Skakov as Vice President. Additionally, Alantra plans to strengthen the technology practice’s strong geographical presence in markets like the U.S. – with a focus on New York City – and in its European hubs.

Miguel Hernández, CEO of Investment Banking, said: “We are excited to welcome Anja to the team. We are confident her expertise and experience will play an important role in advancing our growth strategy for Alantra’s global technology investment banking team. Her addition aligns with our commitment to investing in sector experts to strengthen our global hubs and key sector practices.”

New CEO Will Accelerate Growth at Elite ServiceNow Partner and Digital Workflow Advisor

NewRocket, a leading digital workflow advisor and Elite ServiceNow partner, announced today that it has named Harsha Kumar as CEO. Mr. Kumar will assume the role previously held by Gary DiOrio, who will re-join the NewRocket board. NewRocket is backed by Gryphon Investors (“Gryphon”), a leading middle-market private equity firm.

Harsha Kumar is an entrepreneur, technologist and proven CEO with a track record of driving significant revenue and EBITDA growth, customer satisfaction, and career progression for team members.

Mr. DiOrio said, “We are lucky to have Harsha join the team as CEO. His hands-on leadership style and knowledge of the ServiceNow space, coupled with his track record for building great companies with the best people, is a rare blend of talent. We look forward to partnering with Harsha as we continue to build the leader in the ServiceNow ecosystem.”

Most recently, Mr. Kumar served as CEO and President of Prodapt from 2016 to 2024, establishing the company as a leading transformation partner for telecommunication companies worldwide. In 2023, Gartner recognized Prodapt as an industry leader across America, Europe, and LATAM. Under his leadership, Prodapt raised private equity funding from Affirma Capital and received a strategic equity investment from ServiceNow.

Prior to joining Prodapt, Mr. Kumar held a number of senior leadership roles that helped establish and grow Virtusa into a leading IT consulting and transformation services firm. He oversaw the creation of advanced technology centers and led the company’s business units for Telecom & Media, Information and Entertainment, Insurance, Healthcare, and Technology industries. He was a member of Virtusa’s core leadership team as the company scaled from a small $13 million private company to a billion-dollar publicly listed company.

Mr. Kumar previously co-founded EC Cubed – a software platform company for B2B eCommerce and raised significant venture capital. As its CTO, he architected and developed a workflow engine and other components.

Paul Fipps, ServiceNow’s President, Global Industries and Strategic Growth, added, “ServiceNow is thrilled to see one of our leading pure-play partners, NewRocket, bring on a talent like Harsha Kumar. As a proven CEO and technologist in the digital workflow automation space, Harsha has developed a prior strategic relationship with ServiceNow. We are confident he will accelerate and further elevate the strategic partnership between NewRocket and ServiceNow.”

Gabe Stephenson, Deal Partner & Head of Gryphon’s Technology Solutions & Services group, noted, “We thank Gary for his leadership of NewRocket, and we feel fortunate to have someone with Harsha’s directly relevant experience joining the company as CEO at this stage. Harsha’s deep understanding of workflow software, experience scaling multiple high-growth IT services firms, and his impressive track record of building large and long-term customer relationships is an ideal fit for NewRocket. We know the talented crew at NewRocket will thrive with Harsha’s people-centered leadership.”

Harsha Kumar added, “I am honored and super excited to join the NewRocket crew on our mission to be the world’s leading ServiceNow partner. ServiceNow has established itself as the AI platform for business transformation, and I’m confident our consulting acumen and deep technical skills will enable impactful transformations for our clients. I’d like to thank Gryphon and the NewRocket leadership team for providing me this fantastic opportunity.”

About NewRocket

NewRocket brings over 19 years of advising and supporting clients in designing, implementing, and managing digital workflows to improve employee and customer experiences. An Elite ServiceNow Partner and ServiceNow Global Partner Award Winner, the Company has completed over 3,000 projects across nine industry specializations. NewRocket Goes Beyond Workflows™ to help clients transform their enterprise into a place where employees flourish, customers thrive, and people matter. With over 3,000 ServiceNow certifications, NewRocket’s business strategists take a holistic, strategic approach to optimize the ServiceNow platform and help clients solve industry-specific challenges.

About Gryphon Investors

Gryphon Investors is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Software, and Technology Solutions & Services sectors. With approximately $9+ billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon’s highly differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time, Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance, and accounting expertise. Gryphon’s three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage, and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to $500 million per portfolio company. The Junior Capital strategy targets investments in junior securities of credit facilities, arranged by leading middle-market lenders, in both Gryphon-controlled companies, as well as in other private equity-backed companies operating in Gryphon’s targeted investment sectors.

Media Contacts:
Caroline Luz

cluz@lambert.com

203.570.6462

or

Jennifer Hurson

jhurson@lambert.com

845.507.0571

Jensen Hughes, a global leader in engineering, consulting and technology that make the world safe, secure and resilient, announced today that its board of directors appointed Dominic Casserley as its Executive Chair.

As Executive Chair, Casserley will work closely with the Jensen Hughes management team to reinforce the company’s key priorities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dominic to our board,” said Raj Arora, CEO of Jensen Hughes. “His extensive experience and strategic insight will be instrumental in supporting our company’s continued growth.”

Casserley’s career began at McKinsey & Company (1983-2013), where he held influential leadership positions in various practices and positions across the globe. He served on the Shareholders Council of McKinsey from 1998 to 2013, and for five years oversaw the global finances of the company. In 2013, Casserley became the CEO of Willis, the global corporate insurance broker. He initiated and oversaw the merger with Towers Watson to create Willis Towers Watson, a $10 billion revenue company listed on NASDAQ. He served as President of Willis Towers Watson until December 2016. Casserley was also the Chairman of ERM, the environmental consulting firm, from 2019 to 2022. More recently, Casserley has served on multiple private equity portfolio company boards across various industries.

“I am honored to be taking on the position of Executive Chair at Jensen Hughes,” said Casserley. “I look forward to working with the entire team to capitalize on growth opportunities and activate strategies that set the company up for continuing success.”

Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based middle-market private equity firm, is the lead investor in Jensen Hughes.

Gryphon Deal Partner Leigh Abramson and Operating Partner Scott Hearn said, “We are excited to partner with Dominic as Jensen Hughes moves forward. He will play a critical role as we continue our strategic growth plan and enable positive experiences for all our clients and employees.”

About Jensen Hughes

Jensen Hughes is a global leader in engineering, consulting and technology that make our world safe, secure and resilient. Worldwide, Jensen Hughes is recognized most widely for its leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility the company has advanced with honor and pride since 1939. Jensen Hughes’ commitment to safety, security and resilience extends to other critical competencies core to its purpose. These include accessibility consulting, risk and hazard analysis, process safety, forensic investigations, security risk, and emergency management as well as digital innovation across many of its services. Today, the Company has 1,700+ engineers, consultants, analysts and strategists who work from 90+ offices supporting clients in 100+ countries across all end markets.

About Gryphon Investors

Gryphon Investors is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Software, and Technology Services and Solutions sectors. With approximately $9+ billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon’s highly differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time, Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance, and accounting expertise. Gryphon’s three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage, and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to $500 million per portfolio company. The Junior Capital strategy targets investments in junior securities of credit facilities, arranged by leading middle-market lenders, in both Gryphon-controlled companies, as well as in other private equity-backed companies operating in Gryphon’s targeted investment sectors.

Contact:

Caroline Luz

Lambert

cluz@lambert.com

203-570-6462

Chris James Appointed Global Head of Tac Opps, David Blitzer to Transition to Chairman

Jas Khaira to be Head of Tac Opps Americas, Qasim Abbas to be Head of Tac Opps International

November 5, 2024, New York – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that Chris James – currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a founding member of Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (“Tac Opps”), with nearly two decades of experience at Blackstone – will become Global Head of Tac Opps. He will succeed David Blitzer, who will transition to chairman of the business at year end. Blackstone also today announced the elevation of two long-time senior Tac Opps partners to expanded leadership roles for the business. Jas Khaira will be Head of Tactical Opportunities Americas and Qasim Abbas will be Head of Tactical Opportunities International.

Blackstone launched its Tactical Opportunities platform in 2012 – a strategy the firm pioneered – to invest across the landscape of private investment opportunities outside of traditional private equity and private credit. Today, Tac Opps has $37 billion of assets under management and is the largest structured capital solutions platform in the world. The Tac Opps team invests globally across asset classes, industries, and geographies, seeking to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns by identifying and executing on attractive, differentiated investment opportunities.

Steve Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Blackstone, and Jon Gray, President & COO of Blackstone, said: “Chris James is the ideal choice to lead Tac Opps. He helped found the business and has run it day-to-day alongside David since its inception – playing an integral role in its success. Tac Opps is thriving in the current environment and we are confident CJ, Jas, and Qasim will continue its strong momentum. We are also quite pleased that David – who has done a world-class job building the Tac Opps franchise from scratch – will continue as chairman of the business.”

Chris James said: “I am excited to take on this new position and, alongside my partners Qasim and Jas, lead the deeply talented Tactical Opportunities team. We believe Tac Opps’ differentiated platform – with scale and flexible capital that benefits from the vast intellectual capital across Blackstone – is incredibly well positioned to continue delivering highly compelling opportunities for our investors.”

David Blitzer said: “We are pleased to have three of our senior partners take on these new positions to further the growth and success of the business – illustrating the breadth and strength of the talent on our team. CJ, Jas, and Qasim have been part of Tac Opps since the beginning and are perfectly positioned to continue moving it forward to even greater heights.”

In additional to his role as COO of Tac Opps, Mr. James has also been instrumental in the launching several new businesses at Blackstone including its insurance platform, growth investing platform, and private equity strategy for individual investors. Prior to Tactical Opportunities in 2012, Mr. James had been involved in the execution of Blackstone strategic initiatives, including the firm’s IPO, and its investments in GSO (now Blackstone Credit and Insurance, “BXCI”) and Strategic Partners.

Mr. Abbas currently leads Tac Opps’ European business and joined Blackstone in 2012. Mr. Khaira has been at Blackstone for two decades and leads Tac Opps digital infrastructure investments. Both Mr. Abbas and Mr. Khaira are founding members of Tac Opps.

Last year, Blackstone announced the record close of Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Fund IV (“BTO IV”). Including other single-investor vehicles pursuing the same strategy, the combined BTO IV platform is currently expected to have nearly $10 billion of new capital in its fourth fundraising vintage. This is substantially higher than the BTO III platform and the largest-ever vintage of its kind. Recent investments in BTO IV include CoreWeave, a specialized provider of critical cloud infrastructure pioneering the AI revolution, and the music royalty platform Hipgnosis.

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 $1.1 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.

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