Singapore, January 9, 2013 – Blackstone (NYSE:BX) today announced that Gautam Banerjee has become the Chairman of Blackstone Singapore.  Mr. Banerjee was most recently the Executive Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Singapore, where he also served as a member of the firm’s Global Strategy Council and as Chief Operating Officer for PwC for China, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia.  He will also join Blackstone’s International Advisory Board.

Michael Chae, the Head of International Private Equity for Blackstone said, “We are delighted to have Mr. Banerjee join Blackstone in Singapore.  Through his extraordinary 30-year career, he has become one of the senior leaders of the business and broader community in the region.  His deep knowledge of the region, extensive relationships, and superb judgment will be invaluable to our investing and advisory businesses in Southeast Asia and throughout the region.”

Added Mr. Banerjee, “Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager and a global leader in each one of its businesses.  I am looking forward to working with the firm to drive its strategy and help develop its businesses in this vibrant region.”

Mr. Banerjee is a Vice Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and serves on the boards of Singapore Airlines, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, the Economic Development Board, the Straits Trading Company Ltd., the APEC Business Advisory Council and the Yale-NUS College.  He has served on the Corporate Governance Council of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Companies Act Reform Steering Committee.  He was a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore from 2007 to 2009.  He served as a member of the Economic Strategies Committee chaired by the Finance Minister of Singapore from 2009 to 2010.

He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Singapore.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Accounting and Financial Analysis from the University of Warwick in Great Britain.

About Blackstone  
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 private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-oriented funds and closed-end funds.  Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.  Further information is available at www.blackstone.com.  Follow us on Twitter @Blackstone.

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