John Budzyna and Maurice Holmes Join KPMG's Alternative Investments Practice

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a clear response to marketplace demand and growth opportunities in alternative investments, KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, continues to expand its alternative funds team and today named industry figures John Budzyna and Maurice Holmes to key posts.

Budzyna, an internationally recognized leader and spokesman for the alternative investments industry, has been named KPMG's National Leader, Market Development for Alternative Investments.  Holmes, who also has extensive experience advising hedge funds and service providers to the hedge fund industry, has been named Managing Director, Market Development for Alternative Investments.

"I am very excited to join KPMG's growing alternative investments practice and look forward to working with their ever-expanding group of talented and deeply experienced partners, directors and employees," noted Budzyna.

Holmes said: "KPMG's reputation and its enhanced commitment to the alternatives market, coupled with its outstanding clients and global reach, are compelling."

Rob Arning, KPMG's Vice Chair - Market Development, said that Budzyna and Holmes "bring with them strong industry credentials and deep experience in the alternative investments space. They truly understand what companies are facing today in terms of regulatory and business growth challenges and will play an important role in helping our clients navigate their way forward."

Budzyna served most recently as CEO of Cutting Hedge Consulting Co. LLC, an advisory firm to the hedge fund industry, and also serves as the chairman of the board of Hedge Funds Care, one of the leading charitable organizations supported by the hedge fund community.  Budzyna began his career at Arthur Andersen, where he helped create and led the firm's hedge fund practice.  He previously served as managing director and global head of Hedge Fund Consulting at Deutsche Bank's Global Prime Finance Group and was CEO of Olympia Capital, a leader in the hedge fund administration business.  He also had served as a leader in Ernst & Young's hedge fund practice. He holds a B.A in Economics from Dickinson College.

Holmes most recently served as a director in the Credit Suisse Investment Banking Division, where he oversaw prime services sales for emerging markets, and served as global leader of its hedge fund consulting services. Previously, he was an executive director in Equity Financing Services at Morgan Stanley, where he managed the Consulting Services Group.  In addition, he has served in executive leadership roles at JP Morgan and Lazard Freres & Co. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Budzyna and Holmes are among an expanded roster of industry leaders and experts who have joined KPMG's Alternative Investments practice over the recent past.

"We believe that KPMG's commitment and desire to be the leading service provider in alternative investments is clearly demonstrated in the resources we are bringing to serve our clients," said Al Fichera, National Partner in Charge, Alternative Investments--Audit. "We are actively engaging with clients on many fronts, most notably in the areas of evolving regulations in the U.S. and Europe, globalization, more cross-border transactions and the convergence of asset classes."

Chuck Walker, National Partner in Charge, Alternative Investments--Tax commented: "When combined with our service delivery model, which features a high degree of hands-on involvement of our partners and managing directors, we believe we have a very compelling solution for those organizations seeking to solve the regulatory, business and market challenges facing our industry today."

Read more about KPMG's expanded alternative investments team.

About KPMG's Alternative Investments Practice
KPMG's Alternative Investments practice focuses on providing audit, tax and advisory services to hedge, private equity, real estate, infrastructure and fund of funds, and is an integral part of the firm's Financial Services line of business.  Our AI professionals are deeply experienced in the issues, challenges, trends, and risks relevant to companies as they meet the multifaceted challenge of regulatory reform, market developments and increased competition.

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 145,000 people, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.

Contact: Pete Settles
KPMG LLP
201-505-6065
732-546-4212 (cell)

SOURCE KPMG LLP