3i appoints Head of North America
09/09/2008
3i, an international leader in private equity, has appointed Bob Stefanowski to the new role of Managing Partner and Chairman, 3i North America, with effect from 15 September 2008. The appointment underlines 3i’s commitment to the North American market and its importance within 3i’s international investing strategy.
Bob will be responsible for the development of 3i’s investment strategy across North America and 3i’s US based investment teams in New York and California will report to him. He brings extensive global financial management experience to 3i and joins as 3i pursues the next stage of its growth in North America, building on the successful launch of its growth capital business and the recent expansion into infrastructure investing.
Bob, 46, joins 3i after 14 years with General Electric where he was elected a company officer in April 2006. His most current role was President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Corporate Finance Europe with overall responsibility for M&A, structured finance and other capital market activities.
Commenting on the appointment, Philip Yea, Chief Executive, of 3i Group plc said:
“North America is an important market to 3i. We are delighted to have an executive of Bob’s calibre and track record to lead the next stage of the development of our business there.”
Bob Stefanowski added:
“It is great to be joining 3i at a key time in the firm’s international expansion. 3i has a good track record in North America and an enviable European and Asian network and investing record. The market in North America presents excellent opportunities in the infrastructure, private equity and growth capital businesses and I look forward to leading 3i’s development there.
Following his appointment, Bob Stefanowski will join 3i’s Management Committee. 3i also announced today that Bruno Deschamps, currently Group Partner, Managing Partner, 3i in France will join the Management Committee as Managing Partner, Group Markets with specific responsibilities for 3i’s Continental European network and certain group functions. He will retain his direct responsibilities for 3i France.
Notes to editors
Biography of Bob Stefanowski
Bob spent 14 years with General Electric where he was elected a company officer in April, 2006. His most recent role was President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Corporate Finance, Europe with overall responsibility for a $35bn portfolio including M&A, structured finance and other capital market activities. Bob also held various M&A, Finance and Sales roles with GE including President and CEO of GE Global Media Finance and GE Commercial and Industrial Finance. Prior to his time at GE, Bob spent five years with PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Hartford Connecticut; he was a litigation consultant in Los Angeles California and a Managing Director of M&A for a Fortune 500 services firm.
Bob is a graduate of Fairfield University and Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. He serves as an adjunct faculty to New York University, Stern School of Business and the London Business School with a research focus on M&A and Private Equity. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Public Accountant.
This release is not an offer of 3i Group plc securities for sale in the United States and 3i Group plc securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exception from registration. Any public offering of 3i Group plc securities in the United States would be made by means of a prospectus that could be obtained from 3i Group plc and would contain detailed information about 3i Group plc, its management and its financial statements. 3i Group plc is not currently making any public offering in the United States and no such prospectus has been issued.
About 3i
3i is an international leader in private equity. We focus on Buyouts, Growth Capital, Infrastructure and Quoted Private Equity (“QPE”) and invest across Europe, North America and Asia. Our competitive advantage comes from our international network and the strength and breadth of our business relationships. These underpin the value that we deliver to our portfolio and to our shareholders. Visit http://www.3i.com/ for further information on 3i.
3i’s North America team has offices in New York and California and typically invests up to $300m per deal, in businesses with enterprise values ranging from $150m to $1.5bn. 3i North America’s total investment portfolio is valued at almost $1bn and includes: Quintiles (CRO services to pharmaceutical industry), Butterfield Fulcrum Group (global hedge fund administrator), Gain Capital (forex trading platform), Demand Media (next generation media) and Mold-Masters (plastic injection mouldings) amongst others.
For further information please contact:
Rachel Richards, 3i Press Office,