GI Partners appoints IR director

US firm GI Partners has recruited Kristen Mary as director of investor relations. Previously she was a partner at placement agents MVision Private Equity Advisers in London since 2001, and prior to this spent five years in the global communications and financial sponsors investment banking divisions of Merrill Lynch.

GI Partners closed its second fund on US$1.45bn (€1.1bn) in July 2006 with commitments from pensions, government entities and banks from the US, Europe and the Middle East. Approximately 50% of this fund has been invested thus far across six platform companies, including Cambian Group, Orchid Group and The Planet. The team’s first fund included the creation and listing of Digital Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust, and the UK public to private of pub and restaurant operator Yates Group.