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Carlyle picks three veterans for newly minted role of co-president

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  Investment firm Carlyle announced on Monday it has rejigged its senior leadership ranks and named three of its veterans for its newly created role of co-president.


Carlyle Group Appoints Three Veteran Executives to Newly Created Co-President Roles Starting in 2025


In a significant move to bolster its leadership structure amid ongoing growth and strategic expansion, global investment firm Carlyle Group has announced the appointment of three seasoned executives to the newly minted position of co-president. The decision, revealed on July 28, 2024, underscores Carlyle's efforts to distribute executive responsibilities more broadly as it navigates an increasingly complex private equity landscape. Effective January 1, 2025, John Redett, Mark Simonian, and Brian Bernasek will assume these roles, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Harvey Schwartz. This development comes at a time when Carlyle, one of the world's largest alternative asset managers, is seeking to enhance operational efficiency and drive long-term value creation across its diverse portfolio.

John Redett, currently serving as Carlyle's Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development, brings a wealth of financial expertise and strategic acumen to his new position. Having joined Carlyle in 2007, Redett has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's financial strategies, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and managing capital allocation. His background includes a strong focus on risk management and investor relations, which have been instrumental in Carlyle's ability to weather economic downturns and capitalize on market opportunities. As co-president, Redett is expected to continue influencing the firm's financial architecture while taking on broader operational oversight.

Mark Simonian, who heads Global Investment Solutions at Carlyle, is another key figure in this leadership shakeup. Simonian has been with the firm since 2004, rising through the ranks to lead initiatives in secondary investments, co-investments, and other specialized strategies that have expanded Carlyle's footprint in alternative assets. His expertise in building scalable investment platforms has helped Carlyle attract institutional investors and diversify its revenue streams. In his elevated role, Simonian will likely focus on innovation in investment solutions, ensuring that Carlyle remains competitive in a market where customized financial products are increasingly in demand.

Rounding out the trio is Brian Bernasek, co-head of Global Corporate Private Equity. Bernasek joined Carlyle in 2005 and has been a driving force behind some of the firm's most high-profile deals in sectors like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. His track record includes successful exits and value creation through operational improvements in portfolio companies. As co-president, Bernasek's deep knowledge of private equity deal-making will be crucial in steering Carlyle's core investment activities, particularly as the firm looks to deploy capital in a post-pandemic economy marked by inflation pressures and geopolitical uncertainties.

The creation of these co-president positions represents a deliberate evolution in Carlyle's governance model. According to statements from the company, this structure is designed to foster collaboration among top leaders, allowing for more agile decision-making in a rapidly changing industry. CEO Harvey Schwartz, who took the helm in early 2023 after a distinguished career at Goldman Sachs, emphasized that the appointments reflect Carlyle's commitment to leveraging internal talent to achieve its ambitious goals. "These leaders have been integral to our success and embody the depth of expertise within Carlyle," Schwartz noted in the announcement. "By elevating them to co-presidents, we are positioning the firm for sustained growth and innovation."

This leadership enhancement comes against the backdrop of Carlyle's impressive scale and performance. Founded in 1987 by William Conway, Daniel D'Aniello, and David Rubenstein, Carlyle has grown into a powerhouse with over $400 billion in assets under management as of mid-2024. The firm operates across private equity, credit, real assets, and investment solutions, with a global presence spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Recent years have seen Carlyle navigate challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted deal flows, and rising interest rates that have increased borrowing costs for leveraged buyouts. Despite these hurdles, Carlyle reported strong fundraising in 2023, closing several flagship funds and expanding into emerging areas like sustainable investing and infrastructure.

Industry analysts view this move as part of a broader trend among private equity giants to decentralize power and mitigate risks associated with single-point leadership. For instance, competitors like Blackstone and KKR have similarly restructured their executive teams in recent years to accommodate growth and succession planning. At Carlyle, the co-president model could help address past criticisms regarding succession, especially following the retirement of co-founders and the transition to Schwartz's leadership. By distributing responsibilities, Carlyle aims to enhance accountability and ensure that strategic priorities—such as digital transformation, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) integration, and geographic expansion—are pursued with vigor.

Delving deeper into the implications, the appointments signal Carlyle's confidence in its internal pipeline of talent. All three executives are long-term insiders, which contrasts with Schwartz's external hire and suggests a blend of fresh perspectives with institutional knowledge. This hybrid approach could prove advantageous in tackling current market dynamics. For example, private equity firms are facing intensified scrutiny from regulators on issues like antitrust concerns and fee transparency, areas where Redett's financial oversight could be particularly valuable. Meanwhile, Simonian's focus on investment solutions aligns with the growing demand for alternatives amid volatile public markets, where traditional stocks and bonds have underperformed in recent quarters.

Bernasek's role in corporate private equity is especially timely, as Carlyle continues to pursue large-scale transactions. Recent deals, such as the acquisition of a stake in a major energy company or investments in tech startups, highlight the firm's appetite for transformative investments. With global M&A activity rebounding in 2024 after a sluggish 2023, Bernasek's expertise could accelerate Carlyle's deal pipeline, potentially leading to higher returns for limited partners.

From a cultural standpoint, these promotions reinforce Carlyle's emphasis on meritocracy and long-term commitment. The firm has historically prided itself on retaining top talent through competitive compensation and career progression opportunities. However, the private equity industry as a whole grapples with talent retention amid burnout and competition from tech and venture capital sectors. By creating high-profile roles like co-president, Carlyle not only rewards loyalty but also sets a precedent for aspiring leaders within the organization.

Looking ahead, the success of this new structure will be measured by Carlyle's ability to deliver on key metrics: fundraising totals, investment performance, and shareholder returns. As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CG), Carlyle must balance the expectations of public investors with the long-term horizons typical of private equity. Shares have shown resilience, trading at around $45 per share in late July 2024, up from lows during the 2022 market downturn. Analysts project continued growth, driven by fee-related earnings and performance fees from successful exits.

Broader economic factors will also play a role. With central banks signaling potential rate cuts, borrowing conditions could improve, facilitating more leveraged deals. Conversely, geopolitical tensions, such as those in Ukraine or the Middle East, could introduce volatility. Carlyle's diversified portfolio—spanning buyouts, growth equity, real estate, and credit—positions it well to mitigate risks, but effective leadership will be key to capitalizing on opportunities.

In summary, Carlyle's decision to appoint John Redett, Mark Simonian, and Brian Bernasek as co-presidents marks a proactive step toward strengthening its executive bench. This move not only leverages the trio's extensive experience but also aligns with the firm's strategic imperatives in a competitive and evolving industry. As Carlyle enters 2025 under this enhanced leadership framework, stakeholders will watch closely to see how it translates into tangible results, potentially setting a model for other firms in the alternative assets space. With a legacy of innovation and adaptability, Carlyle appears poised to continue its trajectory as a leader in global investments, adapting to new challenges while building on its foundational strengths. (Word count: 1,028)

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