Executive moves, week of April 14, 2008

JPMorgan’s Coyle joins Permira

U.K.-based Permira has hired John Coyle as co-head of its New York office. Coyle has spent the past two decades with JPMorgan, including a recent stint as global head of financial sponsors. He’s spent most of his time in New York, but moved to London in 1998 to help launch JPMorgan’s European sponsor coverage.

“I’ve worked an ocean apart from where my group is based, so it isn’t something that worries me,” Coyle explains. “I’ve also worked on both continents, which gives me a perspective on both.”

Permira’s courtship of Coyle began late last year, when he was approached by New York office chief Tom Lister. “He told me that they had more opportunities than resources,” Coyle says. “Opportunities like this only come along every so often, and the longer you don’t take them the fewer you get.”

Evercore co-founder retiring

Austin Beutner is retiring as president, co-CEO and board member of Evercore Partners, effective May 1. Beutner co-founded the New York-based private equity firm in 1996 with Roger Altman, but has been on medical leave since undergoing a series of medical procedures in mid-December related to an earlier bicycle accident. “I expect to make a full recovery,” Beutner said in a prepared statement. “But, the process will take more time. For the near term, I want to dedicate myself to that and to my family.”

Gutch joins H.I.G.

Michael Gutch has joined H.I.G. Ventures, the venture capital affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, as a member of its life sciences team. Gutch will work with H.I.G. Managing Directors Aaron Davidson and Bruce Robertson, concentrating on biopharmaceuticals and medical device opportunities. He previously was a principal with Lilly Ventures.

NEA expands in India

Jerry Rao and Amit Sharma have joined the Indian affiliate of New Enterprise Associates as venture advisors. Rao previously was chairman and CEO of MphasiS. Sharma currently is with American Tower Corp. as an executive VP and president of Asian operations.

Barth joins Tennenbaum

has joined Santa Monica, Calif.-based Tennenbaum Capital Partners as chief investment strategist. He previously was chief economist for international affairs with the U.S. Treasury Department.

TIAA-CREF taps new CEORoger Ferguson was named president and CEO of TIAA-CREF. He succeeds the retiring Herbert Allison, who will become chairman of the TIAA-CREF board. Ferguson previously was head of financial services for Swiss Re.

InterWest adds advisors

InterWest Partners has appointed three scientists to the venture capital firm’s advisory committee. They are Caltech president Jean-Lou Chameau, serial biotech entrepreneur Leroy Hood and former FDA commissioner Mark McClellan. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based firm is currently investing from InterWest IX, a $600 million fund raised in 2005.

Rao’s plans unknown

has left India-based ICICI Ventures, where he was a director of life sciences investments. In an email, he said that he will be accepting a new position on May 1, but did not provide additional details.

CMEA promotes Kim

CMEA Ventures has promoted James Kim to senior partner in the firm’s energy and materials practice. He joined the firm last year, and has led such deals as A123 Systems. CMEA recently announced that it had raised $400 million for its seventh fund.

Herrema joins Stone Point

has joined Stone Point Capital as a senior advisor, with a focus on the asset management and private client services sector. He previously served as CEO of Bessemer Trust.

WL Ross adds Tepner

has joined WL Ross & Co. as a principal. He previously was a partner with Compass Advisers, where he led the firm’s restructuring practice.