Sector developments and company hires

EMEA
Capzanine has appointed Renaud Tourmente as head of business development, effective from 6 May 2019. Tourmente will join the firm as partner and will be part of its executive committee. In this newly created role, he will support the firm’s international development, pursue the diversification of its debt products and contribute to strengthening relationships with its investors. He brings 20 years of relevant industry experience, most recently at AXA IM, where he co-led the global loans and private debt platform and was on the board of its structured finance platform. 

Granite calls
Cerberus has confirmed that it plans to exercise its portfolio purchase option in connection with the Towd Point Mortgage Funding 2016-Granite1 and 2016-Granite2 transactions, ahead of their first optional redemption dates (SCI 18 January). If the portfolio purchase option is exercised, the RMBS notes will be redeemed on their first optional redemption date.

North America
Peter Mullen has re-joined Artex as ceo, with David McManus assuming the new role of chairman. Together with Artex North America president Jennifer Gallagher, the pair founded the firm in 1997. Mullen spent more than 20 years with Artex and its parent company, Gallagher, before becoming ceo of Aon Captive & Insurance Management eight years ago.