Blackstone Announces Changes in Leadership for Tactical Opportunities Platform

Chris James, COO and a founding member of Blackstone’s tactical opportunities group, has been appointed as global head of the platform, succeeding David Blitzer, who will shift to chairman of the business at the end of the year.

In a statement announcing the change, Blackstone said that James served as an important figure in the formative days of the tactical opportunities platform and has also been instrumental in launching other new businesses at Blackstone, including its insurance platform, private equity strategy for individual investors, and growth investing platform. In addition to James’ move, Blackstone also said Jas Khaira has been promoted as the new head of the tactical opportunities platform in the Americas, while Qasim Abbas will head up the platform internationally.

Blackstone’s tactical opportunities platform has grown to $37B in AUM since its inception in 2012, most recently in August 2023 making a $5.2B close – nearly $10B when co-investments and other vehicles are included – on its fourth tactical opportunities fund.

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105266584/en/Blackstone-Tactical-Opportunities-Announces-Leadership-Transition