Morgan Stanley announced today that it has appointed James Howland as a Managing Director and Operating Partner for Morgan Stanley Private Equity, the Firm's global private equity business. Mr. Howland joins the group with 22 years of senior executive experience in leadership and operational roles, most recently as President of Dun & Bradstreet International.
Based in New York, Mr. Howland will assist in efforts to identify companies for investment and acquisition opportunities, as well as help assume management and strategic oversight for those businesses. He is the second Operating Partner to join Morgan Stanley Private Equity, following the October 2007 appointment of Gary Matthews as Managing Director and Operating Partner. Mr. Howland will take up his new role in April 2008.
“Jim is an accomplished leader whose management expertise and focus on operational excellence will enhance our ability to anticipate market opportunities and create value,” said Steve Trevor, Co-Head of both Morgan Stanley Private Equity and Morgan Stanley Investment Management. “I am pleased to have him on our team as he applies his corporate sensibilities within a private equity environment.”
Alan Jones, Co-Head of Morgan Stanley Private Equity, said, “With his 22-year track record of success in building businesses across varied industry sectors, Jim is a seasoned executive whose strategic insights and network of relationships will considerably strengthen our portfolio company operational capabilities. He is an outstanding addition to our private equity franchise, and I look forward to his contributions throughout the many facets of our investment activities.”
Prior to his new role, Mr. Howland was President of D&B’s International Business, and served as CEO of two high-growth businesses: Edison Schools’ Educational Services Group and the Americas division of Regus Business Centers. Previously, Mr. Howland held a number of senior management positions within American Express, including serving as President of its London-based International Merchant Services business. In that capacity, he was responsible for handling the four million merchants outside of the U.S. that accepted the American Express card. Prior to joining American Express, Mr. Howland was a consultant in McKinsey & Company’s Financial Services practice. He received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Bucknell University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Morgan Stanley Private Equity, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s Merchant Banking Division, makes private equity and equity-related investments on a global basis. Morgan Stanley Private Equity utilizes Morgan Stanley’s vast resources, including the Firm’s global franchise and relationships with leading corporates, management teams and financial sponsors, to source attractive opportunities for its investment funds. Morgan Stanley’s roots in private equity investing date back to 1985 with the Morgan Stanley Capital Partners private equity funds. To date, Morgan Stanley Private Equity and its predecessor funds have invested nearly $6.5 billion of equity across a broad spectrum of industries.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 600 offices in 33 countries. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
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