Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, an alternative asset manager, has appointed Kaveh Samie as new managing director and head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA), effective 6 January 2011, to support the firm's growth strategy in the region.
Samie will work closely with Ambassador Ford Fraker, chairman of KKR Middle East and North Africa, to expand the firm’s presence in the region.
Previously, Samie was a managing director and head of equities for HSBC Middle East & North Africa. Prior to joining HSBC in 2009, he spent 16 years at Citigroup, most recently as regional head of equities for Middle East & North Africa, covering sovereign wealth funds, government entities, and family offices. Previously, he worked for Oppenheimer & Co, Prudential Securities, and Bank Julius Baer.
KKR co-founder, co-chairman and co-CEO Henry Kravis said that Kaveh has spent 25 years developing global and local equity platforms and building a strong network of relationships in the Middle East and North Africa.
"His close ties to investors, as well as his expertise in a multitude of financial products, will be very valuable as we grow KKR’s product offerings and evaluate investment opportunities in the region," Kravis said.