Blackstone has appointed Michele Raba as Head of European Corporate Private Equity as the firm expands its investment activity across the region. Raba, who joins from Apollo Global Management, will assume the role in April 2026, Bloomberg reports.

The appointment follows the promotion of Lionel Assant, who previously led Blackstone’s European private equity operations and now serves as the firm’s Global Co-Chief Investment Officer.

Raba spent 15 years at Apollo, where he oversaw several high-profile European transactions, including Oldenburgische Landesbank, Gamenet, Lottomatica, Ingenico, and The Travel Corporation. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in London.

Blackstone has been investing in Europe for more than 25 years, managing over $350bn in assets across the region. The firm has outlined plans to deploy more than $500bn over the next decade as it targets renewed opportunities across sectors and geographies.

The appointment comes amid growing optimism for European dealmaking. Blackstone President Jon Gray recently said the “deal dam is finally breaking,” reflecting improved transaction activity after a period of subdued private equity deployment.

At Apollo, Raba’s responsibilities have been assumed by Alex van Hoek, who now leads the firm’s European private equity business.

If you think we missed any important news, please do not hesitate to contact us at news@pe-insights.com.

Can`t stop reading? Read more.