General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm, has appointed former Visa president Hans Morris as a special adviser.
Morris will provide strategic counsel to General Atlantic and its portfolio companies with a focus on the financial services sector, supporting the firm’s global growth equity investment programme.
Founded in 1980, General Atlantic is an active global growth investor which identifies, invests and supports growth companies in the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia, including current and prior investments in several financial services firms.
General Atlantic is co-leading the recently announced purchase of First Republic Bank from Bank of America, a transaction expected to close in the first half of 2010.
Bill Ford, chief executive officer of General Atlantic, says: “We are pleased to have Hans join our GA finance team in a senior role. Along with his other business pursuits, Hans will be an important contributor in evaluating new investment opportunities and developing our strategic plan for the sector. His knowledge of the financial services industry and leadership experience will add great value to our leadership position in this important area.”
Morris adds: “General Atlantic’s global reach and focus on growth seem just right in the current environment. I am one of the people who expect very significant changes to the financial services industry over the next several years. I look forward to being an active participant with the GA team taking advantage of this reshaping and working with GA’s portfolio companies to help them achieve their growth initiatives.”
Morris served as president of Visa from 2007 to 2009, having been recruited to Visa as it completed a reorganisation which merged several separate businesses into a new company.
Morris previously spent 27 years at Citigroup and its predecessor companies in several operating and management roles. In his final position, he was chief financial officer and head of finance, technology and operations for Citi Markets and Banking.
