The Carlyle Group Forms European Leveraged Finance Business; Mike Ramsay Named Managing Director

London -- Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that Mike Ramsay has joined as a Managing Director to start up and lead its European Leveraged Finance business. Mr. Ramsay will join Carlyle in late September and be based in London. He was formerly Head of Leveraged Finance at Prudential M&Amp;G and has more than 10 years of experience in the European debt markets.

The Carlyle Group’s leveraged finance team has operated in the U.S. since 1999 and currently manages $3 billion of assets committed to leveraged loans, high yield bonds and special situation investments in six collateralized debt obligations (CDOs). The Carlyle Group, with Bank of Scotland Corporate as a strategic investor, plans to invest in European debt. JPMorgan will serve as an arranger. Carlyle plans to invest in European senior secured bank loans, as well as mezzanine loans and high yield bonds. The team will leverage Carlyle’s extensive industry-based investment expertise in areas including healthcare, automotive, industrial, energy, transportation, aerospace, and telecommunications and media.

Mike Zupon, Managing Director and head of the Leveraged Finance Group said, “There is great opportunity in the European debt markets. We look forward to working with Bank of Scotland Corporate. Their expertise in Europe complements our experience managing U.S. high yield assets and European private equity businesses. JPMorgan’s market presence and advice has already proven beneficial. This combination will enable us to source deals and establish a European presence quickly. Mike Ramsay’s experience and relationships will bring strong leadership to the launching of this venture.”

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