KKR makes senior appointment in Australia

KKR has hired David Lang as a member in its Australian team, the private equity firm said on Monday, bringing the industry veteran back to his home country after a 15-year stint in Europe and the US.

In his new role, Lang will be part of the leadership of KKR’s Australia business, which involves more than A$3 billion ($2.3 billion) of investment across private equity, credit, energy and resources as well as real estate.

The private equity firm started investing in Australia through its pan-regional private equity funds in 2006. Its Australian portfolio companies include Dixon Hospitality, Latitude Financial Services, Laser Clinics Australia, Santanol and Sundrop Farms.

Prior to joining KKR, Lang was a partner and founding member of Pamplona Capital Management, a $10 billion global private equity firm. He led investment across multiple sectors including consumer staples, retail, industrials and infrastructure.

His appointment will take effect early next year.

"I am excited to return home after 15 years and join an investment firm with such an outstanding reputation and established presence in the region,” Lang said in a statement.

“Australia is a dynamic market and I am convinced there is growing demand for entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and corporate CEOs to find like-minded partners to help them expand domestically and abroad," he added.

“Lang personifies the global & local nature of KKR's strengths and enables us to offer an even greater array of flexible capital solutions to local institutions and entrepreneurs,” said head of KKR Australia Scott Bookmyer. “Lang’s appointment reinforces KKR's long-term commitment to the vibrant Australian market."

Beofre joining Pamplona Capital, Lang spent two years as an investment banker with Bank of America Merill Lynch and another three years as an equity research analyst with Morgan Stanley.