Huth put in charge of KKR Europe

Johannes Huth has been put in charge of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.’s European operation.
 
Huth, who is 44 and a German national, has been appointed head of the firm’s London office. He takes over from Ned Gilhuly, who has been heading up KKR’s UK presence since 1998. The firm recently confirmed that Gilhuly was to return to its Menlo Park, California office which he left in 1998 to build up the London operation.
 
According to a press release, Huth will be responsible for developing KKR’s business across Europe. He has been with the firm since 1999 when he joined from Investcorp. Transactions he has been involved with include KKR’s investments in European assets such as MTU Aero Engines and A.T.U Auto-Teile-Unger.
 
Huth will be working closely with Todd Fisher. The pair will represent the London office on the firm’s investment and portfolio management committees.
 
Fisher will also be in charge of growing Capstone-Europe, the management consultancy dedicated to working with KKR portfolio companies.
 
As expected by market practitioners who know KKR well, the firm stated that Gilhuly would “stay involved in European activities for a time even when he is no longer based there, in order to ensure the most seamless transition possible.” Henry Kravis, founding partner of the firm, would also “continue to be very active and present in Europe”, KKR said.  
 
KKR currently has 18 professionals based in London. The firm has invested €3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) of equity in Europe to date and manages a portfolio of ten companies at present.
 
Most recently the firm has financed European investments from the $3 billion KKR European Buyout Fund it raised in 2000. The firm is currently preparing the launch of a new vehicle to succeed this fund.