Babson boosts team

Babson Capital Europe, one of the largest leveraged loan managers in Europe, has hired Andrew Godson as head of distribution. Godson is responsible for Babson Capital Europe’s global sales and distribution activities.

He will also distribute the US parent Babson Capital Management’s products to European investors.

Godson joined on 2 June from Citigroup and reports to Ian Hazelton, chief executive of Babson Capital Europe.

At Citigroup, he ran the CDO and structured credit team in Europe where he helped create Citi’s CLO franchise into one of the biggest in Europe

He was responsible for the global distribution of more than 50 transactions. Before Citi, Godson spent three years working in the securitisation group at Nomura where he was involved in the structuring of CDOs and securitisation in esoteric asset classes.

Hazelton said: “The current loan market dislocation presents attractive investment opportunities, and Andrew’s industry experience and background will help us continue the growth of our asset management business.”

Babson Capital Europe is one of the largest senior and mezzanine leveraged loan fund managers in Europe. It has been investing in the European leverage loan market since 2001 and as of June 2008 has over €7 billion under management.

The firm was founded in 2000 as a platform for establishing an extensive multi-fund debt management business. It has over €7 billion under management in eleven funds, four managed accounts and two warehouses.