John Studzinski CBE runs Blackstone Advisory Partners and is a Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group. He is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He joined Blackstone in 2006. John Studzinski began his banking career in 1980 at Morgan Stanley in investment banking in New York and then worked much of his career in London where he served as Head of European Investment Banking and Deputy Chairman of Morgan Stanley International until 2003. Mr Studzinski spent three years at HSBC as a member of the Group Management Board and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division. Recent transaction experience includes advising Suez in the CIC investment in International Power Operations, the acquisition of International Power and the merger with Gaz de France, the Board of AIG on its global restructuring, Peugeot on its China Manufacturing Operations, the Board of Reuters in the merger with Thomson, the Coty acquisition of Philosophy, the Chinalco acquisition of its stake in Rio Tinto and advising Xerox on its acquisition of ACS. John Studzinski graduated from Bowdoin College and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. John Studzinski is Vice Chair of Human Rights Watch and serves on the Board of Directors of Bowdoin College, FAPE, The Passage Day Centre, American Patrons of Tate, American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry and the Royal Parks Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of The Benjamin Franklin House Museum and CREATE. He founded the Genesis Foundation in 2000. The Foundation is his personal foundation which supports and nurtures young and emerging artists. The Foundation celebrated ten years of success in 2010. He is also a member of The Atlantic Council, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Royal College of Art and The Peterson Institute. Awards and honors include: Papal honors of Knight of the Order of St Gregory and Knight Commander of Saint Sylvester. Prince of Wales Ambassador Award. The Beacon Prize for Philanthropy and Banker of the Year in 2008. In 2008, Mr Studzinski was named in the Queen’s New Years Honours List as a Commander of the British Empire (“CBE”) for services to the Arts and Charity.

Capital Markets, Financial Capital, Mergers and Acquisitions, International Business, Europe, Ireland, Irish economy, Leadership,