Goldman Sachs executive joins Carlyle Group to manage their direct lending sector
In a strategic move to expand its private credit offerings, global investment firm Carlyle Group has hired Alex Chi from Goldman Sachs to lead its direct lending arm. The appointment of Chi, a veteran executive with extensive experience in debt capital markets and leveraged finance, is expected to accelerate growth and broaden Carlyle's presence in the global private credit market.
Chi, who has been working at Goldman Sachs since 1994, will join Carlyle as a partner and sit on the firm's leadership committee. In his new role, he will serve as co-deputy investment chief of Carlyle's $199 billion global credit unit, which oversees the firm’s private credit operations. His previous roles, including co-head of Americas private credit at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, will undoubtedly prove beneficial in driving growth and enhancing the impact of Carlyle’s credit business.
The hire is part of Carlyle’s broader move into asset-backed private credit and direct lending. The firm seeks to capitalise on the steady yields and diversification opportunities in the $1.7 trillion private credit market, with credit already growing to comprise over 50% of Carlyle’s fee-earning assets. Direct lending, while a smaller focus area, remains key for expanding the firm’s private credit footprint.
This strategic hire follows Carlyle's recent efforts to expand its private credit offerings, such as the purchase of a significant student loan portfolio. The firm, along with KKR, collectively bought a $10.1 billion student loan portfolio, demonstrating its commitment to this sector.
As Chi is set to join Carlyle in early 2026, his leadership is expected to drive further growth in the direct lending segment. With his extensive experience and expertise, Chi is poised to play a pivotal role in Carlyle's strategic expansion into the private credit market.
[1] Internal memo seen by Bloomberg [2] Bloomberg, 2026 [3] Financial Times, 2023 [4] Reuters, 2023 [5] Wall Street Journal, 2026
- Chi's extensive experience in debt capital markets and leveraged finance makes him a valuable addition as he joins Carlyle Group to lead its direct lending arm, where he will serve as a partner and sit on the firm's leadership committee, focusing on investing and growing the business in the private credit market.
- Carlyle's strategic hiring of Chi, along with its recent expansion into the private credit market through acquisitions such as a significant student loan portfolio, signifies a well-planned approach to capitalize on the $1.7 trillion private credit market, with the aim of increasing the firm's presence and diversifying its business through direct lending.
