Oaktree Capital Group, LLC (NYSE: OAK) today announced that Jim Ford has decided to step down as portfolio manager of Oaktree’s Global Principal Group effective December 31, 2015. Jordon Kruse and Matt Wilson will continue to manage the Global Principal strategy.

“We are very grateful to Jim for his leadership and contributions to the firm over the past 20 years and are happy to report that we’ll continue to benefit from his experience and talents as he stays on in a senior advisor capacity at Oaktree and a director of several Global Principal Group portfolio companies,” commented Bruce Karsh, Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer. “Since joining Oaktree two months after our formation in 1995 as a summer trainee, ascending to portfolio manager in 2006, Jim has been involved in sourcing and executing a number of the firm’s most significant investments.”

Jordon Kruse and Matt Wilson will continue to oversee the day-to-day management of the Global Principal portfolios and team. Having spent fourteen and eight years with Oaktree, respectively, Messrs. Kruse and Wilson were appointed as co-portfolio managers and have led the team with Jim since 2014.

“The last 20 years at Oaktree have been incredibly rewarding and I am extremely proud to have been part of the firm’s growth overall and the development of the Global Principal Group,” said Jim Ford. “While I look forward to continuing to work as a senior advisor to the firm, I am also excited for a new chapter ahead. Furthermore, I couldn’t be more confident in the strength and depth of the team I have helped to develop. Jordon and Matt are ideally positioned to continue to lead the group and its portfolios forward. They each bring tremendous leadership and investment acumen to the Global Principal team.”

About Oaktree

Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $100 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2015. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in distressed debt, corporate debt (including high yield debt and senior loans), control investing, convertible securities, real estate and listed equities. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm has over 900 employees and offices in 17 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com.