Centerbridge Partners

Office address: 375 Park Avenue New York, NY 10152
Website: www.centerbridge.com
Year established: 2005
Company type: multi-strategy private investment firm
Employees: 300+
Expertise: private equity, private credit, real estate, special situations, asset management, lender, debt provider, hedge fund, PE and buyout firm, growth and expansion, healthcare, industrials, consumer services, financial services, technology
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Jeffrey Aronson (managing principal); Barbara Amone, Gavin Baiera, Adam Burinescu, Shanshan Cao, Brian Chu, and Susanne Clark (managing directors)
Financing status: N/A

Centerbridge Partners is a New York-based alternative investment firm with expertise in private credit, real estate, and private equity. With $38 billion in capital under management, the company operates across four offices in New York, Miami, London, and Luxembourg. Centerbridge’s team of over 300 professionals offers flexible investment strategies that span sectors and market cycles.

History of Centerbridge Partners

Centerbridge Partners was founded in 2005 by Jeff Aronson and Mark Gallogly to combine private equity, private credit, and real estate strategies. Early milestones included launching private equity and credit platforms and establishing the Centerbridge Foundation. In 2011, they expanded internationally with a London office, and by 2017, they raised their first dedicated real estate fund.

In 2021, the firm founded Martello Re, a mutual life insurance company, and introduced the CUNY Futures in Finance program. By 2023, Centerbridge and Warburg Pincus invested $400 million in the PacWest and Banc of California merger. In 2024, they continued expanding with the launch of Overland Advantage, focusing on high-growth opportunities

Products and Services of Centerbridge Partners

Centerbridge Partners offers a diverse range of investment strategies designed to create value across industries. Their key services include:

• private equity: focuses on acquiring and developing businesses to achieve operational and financial growth
• private credit: provides flexible debt solutions to companies facing varied financing needs
• real estate investments: invests in real estate assets, seeking long-term appreciation through strategic management
• insurance solutions: formed Martello Re in partnership with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance and Barings Asset Management, offering reinsurance services
• special situations investments: targets distressed or complex scenarios requiring innovative and customized approaches
• operational support: collaborates with portfolio companies to enhance performance and drive sustainable growth

Centerbridge Partners combines expertise in various investment strategies to deliver comprehensive solutions across industries and regions. Their integrated approach allows them to navigate market shifts with flexibility, helping them create and sustain value for their investors. This cohesive strategy is central to their long-term success and ability to address diverse investment opportunities

Culture at Centerbridge Partners

Centerbridge promotes a collaborative work environment rooted in their One Team spirit, encouraging creative thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The firm prioritizes building a diverse and inclusive culture, viewing this as essential for performance and innovation. Employees benefit from opportunities for career growth, skill development, and strong support from leadership with several perks:

• career development opportunities: strong focus on mentorship and professional growth
• inclusive environment: diverse, supportive team fostering teamwork
• competitive compensation: good pay with benefits
• workplace amenities: free lunches, well-stocked pantry
• networking opportunities: conducive setting for building professional connections

The company integrates sustainable practices by supporting communities through its Centerbridge Foundation, focusing on education and employment pathways. The foundation, established in 2007, prioritizes increasing access to opportunities for young people to reach their full potential. This commitment reflects the Centerbridge Partners’ broader approach to building value through several initiatives, including:

• Partnership Grant Strategy: supports nonprofit organizations in NYC and London, with a focus on education and leadership development
• CUNY Partnership: offers programs like the Investment Industry Fellowship and Futures in Finance to help CUNY students advance in their careers
• firm engagement: encourages team participation in selecting Foundation projects and volunteering with supported organizations

Centerbridge is committed to fostering a DEI-integrated environment where all team members feel valued and respected. The firm believes that its strength comes from the unique perspectives and creativity of its diverse workforce. By maintaining an open culture that welcomes different viewpoints, Centerbridge ensures a collaborative and supportive workplace.

Centerbridge Partners' Sustainable Value Creation is structured around three core pillars:

• corporate governance and ethics
• resource use and environmental impact
• inclusive growth and social responsibility

These pillars guide their investment process to support responsible practices, risk management, and value creation. The firm collaborates with industry experts and nonprofit organizations to ensure their ESG objectives are effectively implemented.

About Centerbridge Partners Managing Principal Jeffrey Aronson and Key People

Jeffrey Aronson serves as the managing principal and co-founder of the organization. He has over three decades of experience in alternative investments. Previously, he was a partner at Angelo Gordon, senior corporate counsel at LF Rothschild, and a securities attorney at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. Aronson earned his JD from New York University School of Law and holds a BA (Hons) from Johns Hopkins University.

Centerbridge Partners is led by a team of experienced professionals who manage key areas of the firm’s operations:

• Barbara Cona Amone, senior managing director and chief human capital and diversity officer, oversees talent management and diversity initiatives within the firm
• Gavin Baiera, senior managing director, serves as a portfolio manager, directing the firm’s credit investment strategies
• Adam Burinescu, senior managing director, leads efforts in identifying and managing real estate investment opportunities
• Shanshan Cao, senior managing director, is responsible for investments in the healthcare and industrials sectors
• Brian W. Chu, senior managing director, directs portfolio operations to enhance performance across investments
• Susanne V. Clark, senior managing director, general counsel, and chief sustainability officer, contributes to legal strategy and sustainability efforts while serving on the management committee

The Future at Centerbridge Partners

Centerbridge Partners is expanding through a joint venture with Modal to acquire industrial outdoor storage properties across the UK. This collaboration leverages Centerbridge’s real estate experience and aims to address the increasing demand for logistics and storage spaces. Focusing on high-demand urban areas and logistics hubs, this venture enables them to grow in a market constrained by limited supply and high rental demand.

In June 2024, Centerbridge released its Sustainable Value Creation report, emphasizing their commitment to incorporating ESG factors into their investments. The report outlined key initiatives, including submitting data to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and tracking carbon emissions. Centerbridge Partners seeks to advance its growth by balancing equity and credit approaches, creating long-term benefits for both investors and the communities they impact.