Original Content: Business Upside
Since November 16, 2009, Kenneth M. Jacobs took over the reins of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lazard Ltd., the firm witnessed phenomenal growth under his leadership. Jacobs is also the chairman of the board of directors of the firm.
Kenneth M. Jacobs: A name that is Synonymous with Success
Born in 1958, Kenneth M. Jacobs started working with Lazard in 1988. With his diligence and sincerity, he became a partner of Lazard in 1991. He won the position of Deputy Chairman and Head of the Northern United States region in 2002. While functioning with this portfolio, Kenneth concentrated on boosting the commercial activities of the company by penetrating new marketplaces and incorporating innovative exercises, for example reorganizing private fund advisory, and strategic capital structure consultation. Besides, he emphasized drawing a new workforce who have specialized knowledge of engineering, energy, and healthcare industry.
The financial consultancy services of Lazard have also witnessed significant growth under his leadership. Lazard has also acquired businesses in the US Middle Market, currently known as Lazard Middle Market.
Kenneth M. Jacobs has a strong academic background. He holds a BA degree in economics from the University of Chicago and has an MBA degree from the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. He enjoys the proud membership of the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution, the Washington policy institute, and the University of Chicago. Kenneth is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group.
After the death of Bruce Wasserstein in 2009, the Board of Directors of Lazard nominated Kenneth M. Jacobs as the CEO and chairman of the company.
The Success Story of Lazard
Lazard Ltd, erstwhile Lazard Frères & Co., is an asset management and financial advisory organization that offers products and services related to portfolio management, investment banking, and other types of financial services. Lazard mostly deals with corporate clients.
At present, it is the biggest autonomous investment bank in the world with its main administrative offices located in major cities of the world such as London, New York City, and Paris.
Incorporated in 1848, Lazard now carries out its business operations from over 40 cities throughout 25 nations in Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and South and Central America. The wide range of services that Lazard provides to its clients includes the following:
Tactical matters
Consultancy on mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
Corporate finance and capital raising
Capital structure and streamlining
Asset management services to partnerships, corporations, government agencies, institutions, as well as individuals.
As of December 2019, Lazard housed 3,018 employees.
Financial highlights of Lazard (2019-20)
Revenue was estimated at US$2.566 billion (2020)
Operating income stood at US$502.141 million (2020)
Net income was estimated at US$402.461 million (2020)
AUM (assets under management) amounted to US$258.642 billion (2019)
Total assets were valued at US$5.971 billion (2020)
Total equity stood at US$999.433 million (2019)
Success as a Financial Advisory Firm
Historically, Lazard offered financial consultancy services to a broad range of clientele on planning and economic problems faced by them. These services might incorporate expert consultation on the probable takeover of another commercial enterprise or firm or particular properties or sale of any other company, property, or business. Lazard is also famed for extending consultations regarding substitutes to a sale like spinoffs, recapitalization, split-offs, and carve-outs. The firm provides professional advisory on all facets of reorganizing to firms suffering from economic hardship or their beneficiaries. Following the global economic slump that started in the middle of 2007, Lazard offered consultation services to some of the biggest reorganizing ventures. Capital raising and capital structuring are two other areas where Lazard specializes. Capital structuring consultation incorporates evaluating and scrutinizing structural substitutes and aiding in long-standing strategies. In the area of capital-raising consultation, Lazard offers expert recommendations on private and public sector financing. The Sovereign Advisory Group of Lazard guides public sector enterprises and autonomous entities on strategizing and economic concerns.
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