Blackstone Names Ex-Lego Family Money Manager as Senior Adviser

Core Insights - Blackstone Inc. has appointed Thomas Schleicher as a senior adviser for the Nordic region to enhance investor engagement and support origination efforts [1][3] Group 1: Appointment and Background - Thomas Schleicher was previously the chief investment officer of Kirkbi A/S, managing approximately 178 billion kroner ($28 billion) in assets for the Kirk Kristiansen family, owners of Lego [2] - Schleicher's prior experience includes working at private capital firm EQT AB, indicating a strong background in investment management [3] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Blackstone is preparing to invest $500 billion in Europe over the next decade, indicating a significant commitment to the region [3] - The firm's Nordic portfolio includes diverse strategies such as real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and growth investments [4] - Blackstone and Permira's acquisition of Adevinta ASA for about €14 billion ($16.6 billion) demonstrates active investment in the online classified sector [4] Group 3: Recent Appointments - In addition to Schleicher, Blackstone has made several senior appointments in Europe, including Franck Petitgas as vice chairman and Michele Raba as head of European corporate private equity [5] - Jon Abrahamsson Ring has also been appointed as a senior adviser for the global consumer franchise, bringing experience from his role as CEO of Inter IKEA Group [5]