Middle Market Credit Asset Manager Expands Sponsor Coverage Team
New York, August 1, 2018 – Churchill Asset Management LLC (“Churchill”), a majority-owned affiliate of Nuveen focused on originating, underwriting and managing middle market senior loan investments, announced today that Amit Bhatia, Jeff Rabaut and Tarek Srouji have joined the firm as Principals and members of Churchill’s Sponsor Coverage team. The appointments are effective immediately and all will report to Randy Schwimmer, Senior Managing Director and Head of Origination and Capital Markets.
Mr. Bhatia comes to Churchill with over ten years of middle market debt investing experience, having worked most recently at Solar Capital Partners, where he was a Principal. At Solar, he focused on originating, structuring, negotiating and executing stretch senior, unitranche and second lien debt investments in private, middle-market companies across a broad range of industries. He developed and maintained relationships with numerous middle market private equity sponsors, investment banks and other alternative lending platforms. Prior to Solar, Mr. Bhatia was a Vice President in the Private Debt Group of GSO Capital Partners where he had similar investment and origination responsibilities.
Mr. Rabaut joins Churchill’s Chicago office from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation where he was a Director on their Sponsor Origination team and helped launch SMBC’s Chicago office. Prior to that, Mr. Rabaut spent over ten years at Antares Capital and its predecessor firm GE Antares, where he was responsible for reviewing new financing opportunities, leading underwriting teams and managing loan investments as part of the firm’s credit and portfolio management group.
Mr. Srouji joins Churchill with over a decade of experience in middle market finance and brings strong relationships with leading middle market private equity firms and lenders to his role at the firm. He previously worked at BNP Paribas where he served as a Director in the firm’s Merchant Banking and Loan Syndication Groups. At BNP Paribas, he led the origination, structuring and underwriting of senior debt transactions with middle market private equity investment firms. Previously, Mr. Srouji held similar positions at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse.
“We are thrilled to have Amit, Jeff and Tarek join our origination team,” said Randy Schwimmer. “They all bring with them outstanding middle market sponsor and lender relationships that will help us enhance our capabilities and broaden our coverage of leading middle market private equity firms. These appointments underscore our commitment to growing a deep and experienced investment team with a strong track record in middle market senior debt financing.”
Churchill is led by a senior management and investment team that has worked together for over twelve years and has collectively invested more than $8 billion in over 550 middle market companies.
About Churchill Asset Management
Based in New York, Churchill Asset Management LLC is a leading provider of senior and unitranche debt financing for middle market companies, particularly those backed by top-tier private equity sponsors. Churchill has $4.4 billion of committed capital under management and has broad experience in all aspects of the middle market financing business, including structuring, credit analysis, syndication, and deal monitoring and oversight. More information can be found at www.churchillam.com.
About Nuveen
Nuveen, the asset manager of TIAA, offers a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. Nuveen has $973 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2018 and operations in 16 countries. Its affiliates offer deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com.
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This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities, and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Financial professionals should independently evaluate the risks associated with products or services and exercise independent judgment with respect to their clients.
Churchill Asset Management is a registered investment advisor and majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.
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