Blackstone’s Tony James to headline CVCA’s 2016 conference
By Kirk Falconer (Originally published on PE Hub)
Tony James, president and chief operating officer of Blackstone Group LP, will be one of the star attractions at next week’s annual conference of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
James, Blackstone’s No. 2 executive, will deliver the opening keynote address at the Toronto event on May 25.
James was hired by Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, the New York firm’s co-founder, chairman and chief executive, in 2002. He joined from Credit Suisse First Boston, where he had served as chairman of global investment banking and private equity.
One of the world’s largest and most active PE firms, Blackstone has disclosed few deals in Canada of late.
It was, however, recently said to be interested in acquiring the Oakville, Ontario, drug developer Concordia Healthcare. Reports last month of a potential deal, which could value Concordia at about $1.5 billion, caused the company’s shares to surge.
Concordia later confirmed that it “has had discussions” but that a deal remains uncertain. Blackstone declined to comment on the matter.
The CVCA’s 2016 conference will take place over three days beginning Tuesday afternoon, May 24.
Along with James, featured speakers include Tanya Carmichael, director and head of global funds at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan; Pierre Lavallée, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board‘s senior managing director and global head of investment partnerships;
And Steve Nash, a former basketball star and currently head of the Steve Nash Foundation; Mike Serbinis, CEO and founder of the digital health-and-wellness startup League; and Boris Wertz, founding partner ofVersion One Ventures.
Additionally, Guthrie Stewart, recently named PSP Investments’ senior vice president and global head of private investments, will be there. Buyouts last month profiled Stewart and his first months on the job.
You can see who else will be attending the 2016 CVCA conference and check out the agenda, here.
