Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has appointed Qantas Airways chairman Leigh Clifford as senior advisor. He has been brought in to help develop the firm’s Australian division.Clifford has held his position at Qantas since November 2007. Prior to his tenure with the Australian airline, he was chief executive of mining and exploration company Rio Tinto for seven years. He was with the company for a total of 37 years in operational and marketing roles both in Australia and overseas.
KKR has two investments in Australia: BIS Industries, a supplier of on-site and off-site materials handling and logistics services to the minerals, metals, and coal mining sectors; and Seven Media Group, a major Australian media company.
“Leigh brings a global network, management acumen and experience and an understanding of public policy,” says George R Roberts, co-founder of KKR. “He will be an immediate asset to KKR’s Australian and international operations and we are delighted he is joining our team.”
“KKR has a proven track record of building long-term, sustainable value in the enterprises in which it invests while also delivering solid returns for investors,” says Clifford. “Given the demand for both capital and operational expertise right now, I am proud to join a team equipped to deliver both, and I look forward to helping identify opportunities for investors while partnering with managers to strengthen businesses in Australia.”
KKR recently named Michael W Michelson and Alexander Navab as co-heads of the firm’s North American private equity business.
D.C.