Kohlberg Kravis Roberts said on Monday that it had hired a former chairman and chief executive of the Willis Group as a senior adviser, adding another veteran corporate boss to its roster of outside experts.
The first assignment for the executive, Joseph J. Plumeri, is joining the board of First Data, the credit-card processor that K.K.R. took over six years ago.
The hiring of Mr. Plumeri is the latest addition to K.K.R.’s senior adviser ranks, composed of high-profile current and former executives who can serve as mentors and consultants for the investment firm’s portfolio companies. They can also help bring in new business, drawing on their presumably deep networks of contacts.
Among those already serving as senior advisers are John J. Mack, the former chairman and chief executive of Morgan Stanley, and Arun Sarin, a former chief of the Vodafone Group. Another is Ford M. Fraker, a former United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Plumeri isn’t a stranger to either K.K.R. or First Data. The private equity giant had previously invested in Willis, an insurance brokerage firm.
And he previously worked at Citigroup and its predecessor firms, serving alongside First Data’s current chief, Frank Bisignano.
“Joe Plumeri is a leader known to be a catalyst for positive change,†Henry R. Kravis, K.K.R.’s co-founder and co-chief executive, said in a statement. “He will be an asset to K.K.R. as a senior adviser and I look forward to working with him again both at the firm and on the First Data board.â€
