Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has appointed Alexander Pietruska as managing director and European head of the Global Financial Services Partners fund, effective from early April.

Pietruska will be based in London, reporting to Olivier Sarkozy, who heads the global financial services team, the firm said in a statement.

Olivier Sarkozy, managing director and global head of GFSP, said the appointment will enable Carlyle to expand the GFSP platform across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Previously, Pietruska was director of group strategy and corporate development at Lloyds Banking Group, a role in which he negotiated with the European Commission regarding state aid for the firm, following its acquisition of HBOS.

Before that, Pietruska spent seven years as global head of corporate development at ABN AMRO, where he led the development and execution of the group’s business and acquisitions.  

The Carlyle Financial Services Group was established in 2007 and invests in management buyouts, growth capital opportunities and strategic minority investments within the global financial services sector. Current investments include: BankUnited, Boston Private, Bank of Butterfield and OzForex.