Jonathan Holley appointed Chief Executive of London's Jasper Asset Management

Mr Holley has more than 20 years of experience in transaction and operations advisory, private equity fund general partner investment experience, and portfolio company value enhancement and divestiture positions. Based between London and Dubai, he will manage the Jasper Capital group's private equity investing, investment fund product management and dedicated client investment company operations.

JAM expects to operate offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha, New York and Zurich during 2008 and to launch a family of Sharia'a-compliant funds during the second quarter of the year. JAM funds will focus on industrial, energy, technology, infrastructure and real estate sectors.

Commenting on the announcement, Jason Peers, Group Chief Executive of the Jasper Capital group said: "We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the executive team as we continue to grow our operations in Europe, the Gulf and Asia. Jonathan's leadership in acquiring and growing professional services companies in North America, Latin America and Europe offers our clients a truly global perspective combined with the power of our local expertise in some of the fastest growing economies around the world."

Mr Holley added: "I'm pleased to join the Jasper Capital group during what is a time of significant opportunity and demand growth for asset management from its clients. In the coming months, Japer Asset Management will significantly expand its offerings to our clients through the introduction of new and unique investment opportunities - including Islamic private investment products - across a number of asset classes and industries. Furthermore, we are focused on completing the Jasper Capital group's traditional merchant banking model by providing private investment company management services to our Gulf-based clients seeking M&A support around the world."

Prior to joining Jasper, Mr Holley was Managing Director of Berlin-based Contraco Capital, a private equity fund services and advisory company in the Eastern European, Asian, Swiss and Gulf regions. He was a founding team member of Internet Capital Group Commerce, Inc (NASDAQ:ICGE) and served in various roles, notably as Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Vice President, Global Marketplaces. Other previous roles included Operational Advisory Practice Leader, US Middle Market Consulting for Ernst & Young LLP, as well as a Project Manager for Andersen Consulting LLP's Logistics Strategy Practice in the US and Brazil.

Mr Holley holds a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from Northwestern University, a Master of Science in Transportation Management from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in International Transactions from George Mason University.