Apollo Global Management, Inc. announced that Jay Clayton has been appointed to serve as Lead Independent Director of its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2021.
Clayton assumes this newly created role following his service as Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from May 2017 through December 2020, the statement said.
Clayton was selected for this important role due to the exceptional breadth of his professional experience, as well as his deep knowledge and understanding of private and public capital markets. During his tenure at the SEC, Clayton focused on initiatives that promoted economic growth, investment opportunity, market integrity and investor protection. Prior to serving as Chairman of the SEC, Clayton led a distinguished law career, including more than 20 years with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP where he was a member of the management committee and co-managing partner for the firm’s General Practice Group. Clayton will soon rejoin Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as Senior Policy Advisor and of counsel as well as return to his role as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
“On behalf of our Board and the Firm, I am pleased to welcome Jay Clayton as Lead Independent Director of Apollo,” said Leon Black, Chairman and Founder of Apollo. “We undertook a thoughtful and deliberate process and are proud to have someone as distinguished as Jay serve in this newly created role that reflects the strong corporate governance enhancements we continue to implement.”
Marc Rowan, Co-Founder of Apollo, said, “Strong governance and transparency are essential for the ever-increasing role we play in the financial marketplace, and Jay’s appointment underscores our commitment to both rigorous oversight and diverse viewpoints. His strong command of our business, the needs of both retail and institutional investors, and the alternative investment industry will be a tremendous asset to the Firm. He joins a strong group of independent directors and will allow us to continue raising the bar at Apollo.”
Josh Harris, Co-Founder of Apollo, said, “Jay’s extraordinary career both in law and government make him uniquely qualified to join our Board in this role and help guide our Firm. As we continue to evolve and grow as one of the world’s premier investment managers, Jay’s background and experience will be vital in driving us forward. I am grateful to have him join the Apollo Board as our Lead Independent Director.”
Jay Clayton said, “The opportunity to serve Apollo’s investors in the new Lead Independent Director role is exciting, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to advance Apollo’s strategy in our ever-evolving markets. As Chair of the SEC, it was my honor to work collaboratively across the government to increase access to high-quality investment opportunities and improve market integrity. I look forward to bringing this perspective and experience to the Apollo Board.”
The firm will continue to expand and enhance the Board with additional directors, including increasing the independence of the Board. In January, Apollo announced the appointments of Pamela Joyner, an esteemed business leader and founder of Avid Partners, and Siddhartha Mukherjee, a world-renowned physician and scientist, as independent directors on the Board effective March 1, 2021.
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