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KKR hires former Lehman Brothers managing director Makram Azar to head MENA operations KKR hires former Lehman Brothers managing director Makram Azar to head MENA operations

19 Sep 2008. Source: AltAssets.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has appointed Makram Azar as managing director and head of Middle East and North Africa. In his new role, Azar will develop the distribution of KKR products in the MENA region and source opportunities for private equity and infrastructure transactions, according to the firm. He will also explore co-investment opportunities with MENA institutions.

Following the appointment, Azar will establish a new office in the region and will look to recruit professionals to support this.

Azar previously spent 18 years at Lehman Brothers, most recently as managing director, global head of sovereign wealth funds and chairman of media investment banking for Europe and the Middle-East, based in Dubai. Prior to that, he led the media, consumer and retail investment banking businesses of Lehman Brothers in Europe and the Middle East.

Henry R Kravis and George R Roberts, co-founders of KKR, said, 'Makram's extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa, coupled with his deep knowledge of investors in the region, will allow us to enhance KKR's presence there. This is a key region for KKR and will further extend our global reach and resources.'

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