Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) has appointed Richard Sarnoff (pictured) as a Senior Advisor to the Firm. Sarnoff joins KKR from Bertelsmann AG, where he was Co-Chairman of Bertelsmann Inc, the US holding company, and President of Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI).
Sarnoff will work closely with the KKR team to identify and pursue new investments, particularly in the media sector, while also supporting existing portfolio companies. He will become a member of the board of directors of BMG Rights Management, a joint venture between KKR and Bertelsmann AG, and become a Senior Advisor and serve on the board of Weld North LLC, a partnership between KKR and Jonathan Grayer.
“We have come to know and highly respect Richard for the depth of his experience in investing and leading strategic growth initiatives in the media industry," says Alexander Navab, co-head of KKR’s North American Private Equity business and head of the Media/Communications industry team in the US. "Richard’s expertise will be an important asset when it comes to supporting existing investments and pursuing new investment opportunities.”
Sarnoff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard University. He serves on the board of directors of Activision Blizzard, Inc and Amdocs, Inc, as well as on the boards of not-for-profit organisations including the Center for Communication, Princeton University Press, and the Bronx Lab School. In recent years, he also served as Chairman of the American Association of Publishers.
