John Studzinski CBE

John J. Studzinski

John Studzinski CBE is a Senior Managing Director and global head of Blackstone Advisory Partners LP. Mr. Studzinski is based in both New York and London.

Mr. Studzinski's primary role is to oversee Blackstone's global advisory business. He is a member of the firm's Executive Committee.

Before joining Blackstone in 2006, Mr. Studzinski was a member of the Group Management Board and co-head of investment banking at HSBC based in London from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that he was at Morgan Stanley from 1980 to 2003, where he served as head of the European Investment Banking Division and Deputy Chairman of Morgan Stanley International.

His recent transaction experience includes advising the Board of AIG on its global restructuring, the Ministers of the Government of the Ukraine, the Board of Reuters on the merger with Thomson, China Development Bank on its investment in Barclays PLC, the Board of Northern Rock on its restructuring, the Board of Suez on the proposed merger with Gaz de France, the Board of Unilever on the Dual Head Structure, the BAT senior management on certain material strategic options and the Board of Petrochina on a possible acquisition of Unocal.

Mr. Studzinski graduated from Bowdoin College in 1978 with a double BA Degree Magna Cum Laude in Biology and Sociology. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1980 in Finance and Marketing. He is Vice-Chair and Director of Human Rights Watch where he serves on the Executive Committee as well as Chairman of the Investment Committee. He also serves as a Trustee of Bowdoin College, the Tate Foundation, The Passage Day Centre for the Homeless and the Royal Parks Foundation. He is a member of the Council of The Royal College of Art and is Chair of the Emmaus Revives Lives campaign. In mid 2007, Mr. Studzinski stepped down as a Trustee of the Tate and became Chariman of Benjamin Franklin House. In 2001, he established the Genesis Foundation which supports and nurtures emerging composers, directors, writers and actors into sustained careers in the arts.

Mr. Studzinski was made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory for his humanitarian work for the homeless. He was also made a Knight Commander of St Sylvester. He received the Prince of Wales Ambassador's Awards in recognition of his contribution to the homeless. He received the Beacon Prize in 2004 for services to philanthropy and in October 2007 was voted Banker of the Year by the Variety Club UK. In 2008, he was named in the Queen's New Year Honours List as a Commander of the British Empire ("CBE") for his services to the Arts and to Charity.

Click HERE for John Studzinski's interview with the Sunday Telegraph (1 June, 2008)...