Alternative asset firm TPG has named Sanghoon Lee as a partner. Lee will be responsible for leading TPG Capital Asia’s investment activities in South Korea, further expanding the firm’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.   “Many years of investing in Asia have reinforced my conviction in the investment opportunity in the region,” says Jon Winkelried, co-CEO of TPG. “Continuing to build our business across Asia is an important priority for TPG and I believe South Korea offers an exciting and dynamic opportunity for our firm. Sanghoon’s experience, local knowledge, and leadership make him an ideal partner to help us capitalise

Private equity firm Pharos Capital Group has hired James S Kerrigan and Kevin A Ryan as senior financial analysts. Kerrigan will be based in Pharos's Dallas office, while Ryan will be based in Nashville.   Prior to joining Pharos, Kerrigan spent two years as an investment banking analyst at Barclays in New York, advising on deals in the healthcare, packaging, chemicals and strategic finances sectors. Before that, he worked in various capacities at a private equity family office and a healthcare consulting firm in Nebraska.   Ryan worked for two years as an investment banking analyst for Stephens Inc in

Weller Equity Partners, a Louisville, Kentucky-based private equity firm, has acquired KFI Seating, a supplier of business and institutional furniture products. "We have been looking for an experienced partner to help us replace a retiring co-owner and key executive, while keeping our sights fixed on the continued growth and development of our business," says Chris Smith, president of KFI.   Ken Berryman, managing partner of Weller, says: "The KFI transaction is a classic fit for Weller as we look to partner with existing management teams to provide liquidity for shareholders, capital for growth, and organisational development to help businesses achieve

Hamilton Lane has appointed Lydia A Gavalis as deputy general counsel. The appointment comes in preparation for the retirement of existing general counsel Robert Cleveland, who will leave the firm in early 2017 after 16 years of service.   In the interim period before his retirement, Cleveland will work closely with Gavalis to ensure a seamless transition. Upon assuming her new role as general counsel early next year, Gavalis will have responsibility for all legal affairs globally. As part of this transition, Fred Shaw, formerly director of compliance, will assume the role of chief compliance officer, reporting to Gavalis.  

Law firm Proskauer has appointed Ben Davis as a partner in the firm’s finance practice in London. Davis’ primary expertise is within the leveraged finance market where he regularly advises on acquisition and leveraged finance facilities, corporate facilities and debt restructurings.   “Alternative lenders in the UK, and globally, require sophisticated legal counsel who truly understand their business objectives and can provide market insight on both sides of the pond. We have successfully, and uniquely, built a deep bench of lawyers with this expertise and we are delighted to have Ben join us to further strengthen the team,” says Steven

Private equity firm JW Childs Associates has hired Philippe Schenk as managing director, Kyle Casella as vice president and Jess Yuan as associate. Schenk will lead investor relations activities for JW Childs. Casella and Yuan are primarily responsible for due diligence and analysis of new investment opportunities and monitoring of portfolio companies.   Schenk was previously a principal at Grove Street Advisors, a private equity investment firm focused on lower middle market buyout, growth equity and venture capital funds, and a director at Credit Suisse with various roles in Zurich and New York, most recently in the alternative capital division.

East Capital Explorer is to terminate its investment agreement with East Capital and become an independent investment company. East Capital Explorer is acquiring East Capital’s shares, representing 96 per cent of the formerly jointly owned holding company.   The compensation for the control shares and certain other obligations amounts to EUR2 million according to the termination agreement.   East Capital Explorer’s investment team, led by Kestutis Sasnauskas, has been strengthened with four employees who have experience from investments in Eastern Europe, most recently within East Capital.   With the new organisation in place, the company has moved its headquarters and

Perella Weinberg Partners has appointed Mauro Rossi has a managing director in the firm’s advisory business. Based in New York, Rossi will be a member of the firm’s financial institutions group (FIG), providing strategic and financial advice to clients in the insurance sector.   Rossi has over 15 years of financial services industry experience. He joins from Morgan Stanley where he was an executive director focused on mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory, corporate restructuring and capital raising transactions for clients in all sectors of the insurance industry. Prior to that, he worked at Lehman Brothers and, subsequently, Barclays Capital in

Catapult Ventures has appointed Dr Tony Flinn as a venture partner with its new GM&C Life Sciences Fund. Flinn, who becomes the fund’s second venture partner, is an authority in contract research organisation (CRO) companies, having founded Onyx Scientific in 2000 to offer contract chemistry services for many of the world’s leading drug developers.   Catapult chief executive Nick Wright says: “I am delighted to welcome Tony to Catapult as our second venture partner with the GM&C Life Sciences Fund. Tony has in-depth knowledge of the CRO landscape – and the kind of battle-hardened experience which only comes from establishing,