- KKR expands its Middle East presence with the appointment of General David Petraeus as Chairman and establishment of a dedicated investment team.
- The investment firm has been operating in the region for 16 years, with prior investments in Gulf Data Hub and ADNOC Oil Pipelines.
- Julian Barratt-Due, Managing Director, will head the new investment team in the GCC region.
KKR (KKR, Financial), a prominent global investment firm, has announced a significant expansion in the Middle East by appointing General David Petraeus as Chairman of KKR Middle East. This strategic move includes setting up a dedicated investment team in the region led by Julian Barratt-Due, a Managing Director at KKR since 2016.
This expansion builds on KKR's 16-year presence in the Middle East, where it has had local offices since 2009 and has been deploying capital directly since 2019. The firm has strengthened its Global Client Solutions team by relocating directors Patricia Bandeira Vieira and Michael de Freitas to the region to enhance strategic partnerships and client engagements.
In recent years, KKR's investments in the Middle East have included significant partnerships with Gulf Data Hub, a major data center platform, and ADNOC Oil Pipelines in 2019. The firm also acquired a portfolio of commercial aircraft from Etihad Airways in 2020 through the Altitude Aircraft Leasing platform.
Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR, emphasized the Middle East's importance as an investment destination, citing structural reforms, pro-investment policies, and favorable demographic trends. With General Petraeus’ insights and Julian Barratt-Due's expertise, KKR aims to be a valuable partner for clients and companies in the region.
General Petraeus brings a wealth of experience with over 37 years in the U.S. military, including serving as Director of the CIA. His extensive knowledge of the region and relationships will be pivotal in strengthening KKR's presence and partnerships in the Middle East.
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