KKR Names Ex-Brazil Central Bank Chief Meirelles Adviser

KKR Co., the New York-based buyout firm run by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, named former Brazil Central Bank Governor Henrique Meirelles as a senior adviser.

The appointment of Meirelles, Brazil’s central-bank chief
from January 2003 until December 2010, is effective immediately,
KKR said today in a statement.

Brazil has attracted private-equity firms seeking to profit
from stronger economic growth in emerging markets. KKR,
Washington-based Carlyle Group LP (CG) (CG) and TPG Capital, based in Fort
Worth, Texas, are among firms that have opened or are planning
to open offices in the country.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting step in building our
presence in Brazil and a reflection of our long-term interest in
Latin America,” Alex Navab, co-head of KKR’s North American
private-equity business, said in the statement. “We will rely
on Henrique’s advice and insights in the world of government,
finance and investment as we expand our business in Brazil and
throughout Latin America.”

Meirelles led the Latin American business at FleetBoston
Financial Corp. before becoming president of Brazil’s central
bank. He was the longest-serving Brazilian central banker and
cut the annual inflation rate by more than 50 percent.

Meirelles became chairman of JF Participacoes SA in March,
and Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) (LAZ), the world’s biggest independent merger adviser,
named him chairman of its Americas business in May. He’s also a
board member of Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras SA, the Brazilian
airline founded by David Neeleman, and was named head of
Brazil’s Olympic Games authority last year. Rio de Janeiro is
the host of the 2016 Summer Games.

To contact the reporters on this story:
Edward Evans in London at
eevans3@bloomberg.net;
Christian Baumgaertel in Boston at
cbaumgaertel@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Christian Baumgaertel at
cbaumgaertel@bloomberg.net

Article source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-18/kkr-names-ex-brazil-central-bank-chief-meirelles-adviser

Posted by braziltribune on Jun 18 2012 Filed under Front Page. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry