Ali Syed joins Lazard as Head of Sovereign and Pension Fund Coverage

NEW YORK, JUNE 18, 2024 – Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) announced today that Ali Syed has joined the firm as Managing Director and Head of Sovereign and Pension Fund Coverage.

Based in New York, Mr. Syed will lead the firm’s efforts to advise global sovereign and pension funds. He will collaborate closely with Wassim Al Khatib, CEO of Financial Advisory for the MENA region, and Sarah Al Suhaimi, Chair of Financial Advisory in MENA.

“Over the last 12 months, we have substantially expanded Lazard’s solutions and capabilities with regard to private capital,” said Peter R. Orszag, Lazard Chief Executive Officer. “With Ali’s deep experience and expansive network, we continue to strengthen our connectivity to private equity and alternative asset managers and grow in how we support global sovereign and pension funds.”

Mr. Syed joins Lazard as it continues to attract best-in-class talent and seeks to ramp up its presence in private capital. The firm launched Lazard Capital Solutions in 2023 and recently hired Adam Cady as the Head of Large-Cap Financial Sponsor Coverage in North America.

"I am excited to join Lazard as Head of Sovereign and Pension Fund Coverage,” said Mr. Syed. “By combining Lazard’s legacy, reputation, and relationships, there is a significant opportunity to support these funds, their stakeholders, and portfolio companies in achieving their diverse strategic and financial objectives."

Mr. Syed joins Lazard from Citigroup, Inc., where he served as Managing Director and Head of Sovereign Wealth Fund and Pension Fund Advisory. He was previously based in Riyadh with Saudi Arabia-based Samba Financial Group, where he was part of the firm’s principal direct investments and private equity team. Before Samba, he worked as an Investment Analyst at Vestry Capital Management. Mr. Syed graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan.