Blackstone Hires Jean-Manuel Richier in European Advisory Practice

LONDON & PARIS--(Business Wire)--
The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX) today announces the addition of Jean-Manuel
Richier as Senior Managing Director to its Paris office to work alongside
Jean-Michel Steg to grow and develop the Blackstone Advisory business in France
and in Europe.

John Studzinski, Global Head of Blackstone`s Corporate Advisory Group, commented
on the announcement: "The appointment of a second French local Advisory
practitioner is another step in the increasing development of our global team.
It also highlights the wider maturity and importance of the global advisory
market. We`re delighted to have someone of Jean-Manuel`s calibre further
strengthen our team."

Mr. Richier added: "Blackstone`s Advisory business is a first-rate team advising
a number of exciting businesses and governments at a time when the market needs
solid senior-level advice. The firm has a unique position in the industry and
has been expanding its business, particularly in Asia and Europe, and I`m
thrilled to be a part of that development."

Jean-Manuel Richier has 18 years of investment banking experience in France. He
was recently a Managing Director and Deputy Head of Investment Banking for
France at Citigroup. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director with Goldman
Sachs and the Head of the Financing Group (Equity and Debt Capital Markets) for
France and Belgium (1998-2005). Jean-Manuel started his career at JP Morgan in
1990 and held various positions within the Investment Banking department in
Paris, London and New York. Jean-Manuel graduated from Ecole Supérieure de
Commerce de Paris in 1988 with a major in Finance.

About The Blackstone Group

Blackstone is one of the world`s leading investment and advisory firms. We seek
to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the
companies we invest in, the companies we advise and the broader global economy.
We do this through the commitment of our extraordinary people and flexible
capital. Our alternative asset management businesses include the management of
corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds,
credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs) and
closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various financial
advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring
and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Further information is
available at www.blackstone.com.

The Blackstone Group
London:
Helen Winning, +44 (0)20 7451 4344
winning@blackstone.com
or
NY:
Public Affairs, +1-212-583-5263
publicaffairsny@blackstone.com

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