KKR names next CFO in major succession planning move

Its current finance head, William Janetschek, will retire at the end of the year and be replaced by the firm’s point person on human capital.

KKR & Co. has appointed Robert Lewin, its head of human capital and strategic talent, to be its next chief financial officer when William Janetschek retires at the end of the year.

It is the latest succession planning move from the private equity giant. KKR made a splash in 2017 when it named Joseph Bae and Scott Nuttall as KKR’s co-presidents and co-chief operating officers, kicking off an industry-wide discussion about succession planning.

Lewin has been with the firm since 2004, holding various positions. He helped launch KKR’s Asia business, co-led its credit and capital markets operations and was treasurer and head of corporate development. For the last two years, Lewin has been head of human capital and strategic talent. Before KKR, he was at Bear Stearns.

Firm founders, co-CEOs and co-chairmen Henry Kravis and George Roberts said Janetschek had “transformed our finance function from one that supported a small partnership to the world-class operation that it is today.” He has been CFO for 20 years.