Australia's FIRB head delays Carlyle move

It was announced last month that Wilson, who already holds various private sector and non-executive board positions, would serve as a senior advisor to the private equity firm's Asia buyout team. The government cleared the appointment on the basis that conflicts of interest between the Carlyle role and his duties as FIRB chairman were rare, according to a statement.

However, Wilson has decided to suspend his start date, citing "concern in some quarters and to ensure appropriate and due public confidence in the foreign investment review system." He will step down as FIRB chairman in April 2017, and said that if any matters involving Carlyle come before the regulator in advance of this date, he would recuse himself from any involvement.

In addition to chairing the FIRB, Wilson is a non-executive director of Bell Financial Group and a member of the Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia. He previously served as a managing director for Lazard and a vice-chairman of Citigroup Australia. His role at Carlyle will involve assisting with due diligence, serving on portfolio company boards, and providing insights into key industry trends.

Carlyle has completed 225 transactions in the Asia Pacific region and eight in Australia, committing around $17 billion and $2 billion, respectively. Currently the firm is investing from its fourth Asia fund, which closed in 2014 at $3.9 billion.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Save this article  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Australasia
• People
• Regulation
• Australia
• The Carlyle Group
• Appointments