Blackstone Appoints Gérard Errera as Special Advisor

London– The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX) today announced that Ambassador Gérard Errera will join the firm as a Special Advisor as of April 1, 2009. Mr. Errera will be based in Paris and will sit on Blackstone’s International Advisory Board.

Mr. Errera will focus principally on developing business initiatives and advising on transaction opportunities in each of Blackstone’s key businesses in France and in the rest of Continental Europe. Mr Errera will also be available to assist advisory clients as well.

Tony James, President and Chief Operating Officer at Blackstone, commented: “This appointment underscores Blackstone’s commitment to the French market. We’re delighted to have someone of Mr. Errera’s stature join us and further strengthen our team with his international experience, strategic thinking and longstanding relationship with the global business sector at a crucial time in the world economy.”

Mr. Errera has spent the last two years as Secretary General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prior to this was the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom for five years. He also served as the French Ambassador to NATO and Director General for Political Affairs. Before that Mr. Errera was Director for International Affairs at the French Atomic Energy Commission and Governor for France at the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is currently a member of the board of EDF and AREVA.

Mr. Errera commented on his appointment: “I am proud to join Blackstone, a leading player in the global economy. I look forward to working with a great team of people to develop opportunities in France and throughout Europe across the whole range of activities in which they operate.”

For more information contact:

Peter Rose
The Blackstone Group, New York
+1 212 583 5871
[email protected]

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, creditoriented 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.