Ex-LSE boss approached to head Blackstone-led F&R - report

Financial News said it has learned from people familiar with the situation that Xavier Rolet, 59, who left the LSE after a bitter boardroom battle in November, was approached for the top job by Blackstone, the US private equity firm leading a consortium that is buy a 55 per cent stake in Thomson Reuters’ financial & risk division for $17 billion.

One person close to the matter said Rolet was not interested in the role and declined the opportunity.

A Blackstone spokesman said it was untrue that Rolet, who joined Moscow-based phosphate-based fertilizer producer PhosAgro as an independent director in May, had been approached.

Financial News said news of the reported approach could increase pressure on F&R’s president David Craig (photo), who has headed the business since 2012.

Private equity groups often make changes at the top when they buy a business, but people close to Thomson Reuters and Blackstone have previously denied a replacement was being sought for Craig. One person close to the situation said Blackstone is in negotiations with Craig over a new CEO contract. ■