KKR & Co.

KKR & Co. is a global investment firm that manages multiple asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. Founded in 1976 by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, the firm is headquartered in New York City and has offices in London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Seoul. KKR & Co. has invested in various companies, including RJR Nabisco, Toys "R" Us, and Dollar General, alongside other private equity firms like Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group, and Apollo Global Management. The firm's investments are often made in partnership with other investors, such as Pension Fund, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Kuwait Investment Authority, and Qatar Investment Authority.

● History

KKR & Co. was founded in 1976 by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, two former employees of Bear Stearns. The firm's early success was driven by its focus on leveraged buyouts, which involved acquiring companies using a combination of equity and debt. In the 1980s, KKR & Co. made several high-profile investments, including the acquisition of RJR Nabisco and Beatrice Companies, alongside other investors like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers. The firm's growth was also driven by its ability to attract top talent, including Robert Bass, Richard Rainwater, and Ted Forstmann, who went on to found their own firms, such as Bass Brothers Enterprises and Forstmann Little & Company. KKR & Co. has also been involved in various mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of KSL Capital Partners and Nordic Capital, and has worked with other firms like J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and UBS.

● Investments

KKR & Co. has made investments in a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and consumer goods. The firm has invested in companies like Toys "R" Us, Dollar General, and Sealy Corporation, alongside other investors like Bain Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Thomas H. Lee Partners. KKR & Co. has also made investments in real estate, including the acquisition of Vornado Realty Trust and Simon Property Group, and has worked with other firms like BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and State Street Corporation. The firm's investments are often made through its various funds, including the KKR Private Equity Investors and KKR Financial Holdings, which have invested in companies like First Data, Nielsen Holdings, and US Foods, alongside other investors like Warburg Pincus, General Atlantic, and TPG Capital.

● Corporate Affairs

KKR & Co. is led by its co-chief executive officers, Joseph B. Lhota and Scott C. Nuttall, who have worked with other executives like Henry Kravis, George Roberts, and Alex Navab. The firm's board of directors includes Robert W. Scully, John B. Hess, and Mary N. Dillon, who have also served on the boards of other companies like Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Procter & Gamble. KKR & Co. has also established various committees, including the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, which are responsible for overseeing the firm's financial reporting and executive compensation practices, and have worked with other firms like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

● Criticisms and Controversies

KKR & Co. has faced various criticisms and controversies over the years, including allegations of insider trading and conflicts of interest. The firm has also been criticized for its role in the subprime mortgage crisis, which led to the collapse of several major financial institutions, including Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns. KKR & Co. has also faced criticism from labor unions and environmental groups, who have accused the firm of prioritizing profits over social and environmental responsibility, and have worked with other organizations like the Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, and the Sierra Club. The firm has responded to these criticisms by implementing various measures to improve its governance and transparency, including the establishment of a Sustainability Committee and a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which have worked with other firms like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan Chase.

● Notable Current and Former Employees

KKR & Co. has employed several notable individuals over the years, including Henry Kravis, George Roberts, and Alex Navab. The firm's current and former employees have gone on to found their own firms, including Bass Brothers Enterprises and Forstmann Little & Company, and have worked with other firms like Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group, and Apollo Global Management. KKR & Co. has also attracted top talent from other firms, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers, and has worked with other executives like Lloyd Blankfein, James Gorman, and Richard Fuld. The firm's employees have also been recognized for their achievements, including Joseph B. Lhota, who was named one of the 100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World by Harvard Business Review, and have worked with other organizations like the World Economic Forum, Council on Foreign Relations, and the Bilderberg Group.