PARIS - (Business Wire) Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) announced today that Wouter Gabriels is joining the firm as a Managing Director in Investment Banking in Europe, effective September 1, 2008. Mr. Gabriels, age 36, was until recently the President of the Chancery and Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's Office in Belgium. He will work primarily out of France and Belgium, and will focus on European and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
“We are delighted that Wouter Gabriels is joining Lazard,” said Georges Ralli, Chief Executive Officer of Lazard’s European investment banking business. “He is a person with a high level of distinction and international experience, who will play an important role for Lazard as we continue to bolster our European and global investment banking business.”
The addition of Mr. Gabriels follows a number of recent strategic developments made in Lazard’s European Investment Banking business, including the hiring of former IMF head and Spanish Finance Minister Rodrigo de Rato as Senior Managing Director; Ken Costa, Chairman of Lazard International and co-head of UK Investment Banking; and the hiring of Managing Directors in debt advisory, transport and logistics, among others. The firm also recently opened a Swiss office.
“In addition to his role in policy, Wouter has been a central figure in the negotiations of several Belgian and cross-border European transactions,” said Antonio Weiss, Vice Chairman of Lazard European Investment Banking. “This experience, along with his knowledge in European economic affairs, complements the skills of Lazard’s European and global financial advisory teams.”
As President of the Chancery and Chief of Staff of the Belgian Prime Minister’s office for the past five years, and Counsellor to the Prime Minister from 1999 – 2002, Mr. Gabriels served in a number of roles involving economic affairs, and domestic and international negotiations across a broad range of sectors.
“I hold the highest level of respect for Lazard, and am attracted by its intellectual capital approach, global scope and independence,” said Mr. Gabriels. “I look forward to joining a firm of such high caliber as Lazard.”
About Lazard
Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 39 cities across 21 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and capital raising, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments, and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com.
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