Private investment giant Blackstone has appointed Franck Petitgas to the newly-created role of Senior Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Europe, with the former Morgan Stanley executive set to join the business in January 2026.
Petitgas will work closely with senior leadership on strategic initiatives and deepen the firm’s engagement with corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers across the region.
Petitgas spent 30 years at Morgan Stanley, serving as Co-Head of Global Investment Banking, a member of the Operating Committee, and later Head of Morgan Stanley International. After retiring in 2023, he became Chief Business Adviser to then-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and was appointed to the House of Lords in 2024.
Petitgas described Blackstone as “the most consequential firm in investing today,” highlighting its role in financing and building businesses and critical infrastructure across Europe.
Blackstone has been active in the region for more than 25 years and currently manages over $350bn in European assets across private equity, real estate, credit and infrastructure. The firm expects to invest more than $500bn in Europe over the next decade.
