Christopher Witkowsky

The firm's co-founder Randal Nardone will assume the role of interim CEO now that SEC-charged Daniel Mudd (pictured) has taken a leave of absence.

The veteran fundraiser, who spent time in Citi’s placement business and Credit Suisse’s fund of funds group, has joined the bank's RREEF alternative investments group.

Leon Black-led Apollo - which has approximately $10bn in dry powder - believes the volatile markets could be rife with opportunities.

Despite the ‘sputtering economy’, the firm’s earnings in real estate rose in the second quarter, driven by increases in underlying investments and performance fees.

The $154bn pension system will also work to decrease holdings in opportunistic and value-add investments and reduce leverage in the portfolio.

The John Grayken-led firm closed its second real estate fund at the end of May and is expected to close its seventh distressed debt fund in July on roughly $4.5bn.

The $113bn pension has issued a request for proposal for a firm to run a sale of private equity and possibly real estate fund interests on the secondaries market. Proposals are due 21 June.

The listed firm has identified 1,200 potential LPs, which it will try to recruit into its funds. Blackstone has collected $15bn for its sixth private equity fund, and has just launched fundraising for its next real estate vehicle.

Jessica Hoffman Brennan will join former Credit Suisse private equity and real estate executives Michael Arpey and Alok Gaur on Carlyle’s investor relations team, which now has about 20 staff.

The deadline for most private equity firms to register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission has been set for 21 July this year, but may be extended to the first quarter of 2012, according to a letter from the government agency.