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Blackstone names new Asia Pacific leadership

Blackstone announced a new Asia Pacific Leadership. This includes: Chris Heady named to Chairman of Asia Pacific; Jan Nielsen appointed Chief Operating Officer for all Blackstone businesses and administrative functions in Asia Pacific; Carol Kim named firm-wide Chief Operating Officer of investor relations across the region; Daisuke Kitta to Head of Japan for all business and administrative functions; and Susannah Lindenfield was named General Counsel for Asia Pacific.

Goldman Sachs’ Walt Jackson to launch Onex direct lending platform

Onex Corp has hired Walt Jackson to launch the Canadian private equity firm's direct lending platform. Jackson has thirty years of experience in the leveraged loan, high-yield and mezzanine markets, most recently as COO of the Private Credit Group at Goldman Sachs’ merchant banking division. He will work at Onex Credit Partners, the credit investing arm of Onex, and lead its expansion to include providing non-investment grade loans to mid-market and larger businesses. Toronto-based Onex currently manages US$22.5 billion of assets.

Grilly joins VStar Entertainment Group

Eric Grilly has joined VStar Entertainment Group, a portfolio company of AUA Private Equity Partners. Grilly previously served as president of Alli Sports, a division of the NBC Sports Group.

Chung joins EIG Global Energy Partners

EIG Global Energy Partners said April 5 that Rex Chung has joined as a Managing Director and Co-Head of Asia, based in the firm’s Hong Kong office. Previously, Chung was the Head of both the Asian Client and Partner Group and the Capital Markets teams at KKR.

H.I.G. Middle Market closes Quicken buy

H.I.G. Middle Market, the middle market investment affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, has closed its buy of the Quicken business from Intuit Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. Menlo Park, California-based Quicken provides personal financial management software products. Union Square Advisors acted as a financial advisor to H.I.G.

Welch joins TSG Consumer Partners

Colin Welch has joined TSG Consumer Partners a Partner and Managing Director. He will focus on transactions in the consumer sector and be based in New York. Welch was previously President and Chief Operating Officer of Financo LLC and CEO of Financo Europe.

Martz joins TA Associates

TA Associates said April 5 that it hired Diana Martz as its Vice President, Human Capital. Martz was previously Director of Talent for OpenView Venture Partners.

Morgan named Chairman of Chi-X Australia

Dr. David Morgan has assumed the Chairman’s role of Chi-X Australia. Morgan is currently Executive Chairman of Europe and Asia Pacific at J.C. Flowers & Co. Last month, J.C. Flowers closed its buy of Chi-X Australia, Chi-X Japan and Chi-Tech.

Former Vonage chief Lefar takes helm at PE-backed RentPath

RentPath LLC, which is backed by TPG and Providence Equity Partners, has named former Vonage Holdings chief Marc Lefar as president and CEO. RentPath had been looking to fill the position since November 2015, when former President and CEO Chip Perry resigned after just four months in the post to take the top job at TrueCar. RentPath’s Kim Payne resumes her job as CFO after serving as interim president and CEO.

JEGI names Doug Stowe EVP of professional services

New York investment bank JEGI announced it has hired Doug Stowe as executive vice president of its Professional Services Group. Stowe previously served as an executive director in the investment banking group at Oppenheimer & Co for eight years.