NEW YORK, May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Greenhill & Co., Inc.
(NYSE: GHL), a leading independent investment bank, announced today plans to
form a Fund Placement Advisory group to assist private equity funds in raising
capital from a global set of institutional and other investors. Christopher
D. Kirsten, who has served as Global Head of the Private Fund Marketing Group
at Lehman Brothers, will join the Firm to lead that effort. In addition, the
Firm announced that Patrick S. Dunleavy and Neil Banta will join the Firm as
Managing Directors, along with Dave Brown, who will join as a Principal, and
Meghan Kelly, who will join as a Vice President, each having served in the
Private Fund Marketing Group at Lehman.
Collectively, Messrs. Kirsten, Dunleavy, Banta, Brown and Ms. Kelly have
participated in more than 60 fundraisings on behalf of fund sponsors located
in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and Asia-Pacific, securing capital from a
global investor base of public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth
funds, endowments, foundations, insurance companies and family offices.
Robert F. Greenhill, Chairman of Greenhill, said, "We believe this new
business is a natural fit for a firm like Greenhill. Just as our M&A and
Restructuring clients value our team's deep experience and independent
perspective, institutional investors choosing funds in which to invest will
benefit from those same characteristics."
Scott L. Bok, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Greenhill, added, "The unique
challenges faced by many of the large securities firms are causing talented
professionals to choose firms with simpler, more focused business models such
as Greenhill. Our continued success has put us in a strong position to
benefit from this phenomenon on a highly selective basis."
Robert H. Niehaus, Chairman of Greenhill Capital Partners, said, "In our
own merchant banking funds, we have seen the value of a team like this in
raising capital in a competitive institutional marketplace. These individuals
bring a wealth of experience to Greenhill that should immediately transform us
into an important player in this large and growing market."
Mr. Kirsten has led the Private Fund Marketing Group at Lehman Brothers
since 2003 and has been responsible for managing fundraising programs for
private equity, venture capital and other private funds sponsored by Lehman as
well as independent fund sponsors. Prior to joining Lehman, he most recently
served as a senior member of Deutsche Bank's private equity finance group.
Mr. Kirsten received his MBA from Columbia Business School and BA from the
University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dunleavy has been Managing Director and global head of origination for
Lehman's Private Fund Marketing Group. Prior to that, he most recently was a
senior member of the private fund advisory group at Lazard. Mr. Dunleavy's
advisory experience spans over a dozen years working with many pre-eminent
private equity firms. Mr. Dunleavy received his JD and BA from the Fordham
University of Law and Fordham University, respectively.
Mr. Banta has been a Managing Director of Lehman's Private Fund Marketing
Group. Prior to joining Lehman, he most recently helped lead the fundraising
business at Citigroup for over 8 years. Mr. Banta holds a BA from Amherst
College.
Mr. Brown has served as a Senior Vice President of Lehman's Private Fund
Marketing Group, and prior to that was a Director of New York Life Investment
Management. Prior to joining New York Life, Mr. Brown played in the National
Football League for 10 years as a quarterback for New York Giants and Arizona
Cardinals. Mr. Brown received his BA from Duke University.
Ms. Kelly has served as a Vice President in Lehman's Private Fund
Marketing Group. She joined Lehman in 2004 after receiving her MBA from the
Wharton School and BA from Yale University.
About Greenhill & Co., Inc.
Greenhill & Co., Inc. is a leading independent investment bank that
provides financial advice on significant mergers, acquisitions and
restructurings; assists private funds in raising capital from investors; and
manages merchant banking funds. It acts for clients located throughout the
world from its offices in New York, London, Frankfurt, Toronto, Dallas and San
Francisco.
Contact: Richard J. Lieb
Chief Financial Officer
Greenhill & Co., Inc.
(212) 389-1800
SOURCE Greenhill & Co., Inc.