Brightwood Capital Advisors, a middle market private credit firm, announced the appointment of Eric Pratt as Chief Credit Officer. In this role, Pratt will oversee Brightwood's existing portfolio, as well as play an important role in the Firm's analysis of new investments. He brings more than 20 years of experience in credit and risk management to the team.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eric to the team,” said Sengal Selassie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner at Brightwood. “As we continue to grow and scale our portfolio, Eric’s depth of knowledge and expertise across portfolio and risk management will help ensure the safety and security of our portfolio in a rapidly rising interest rate environment and be instrumental to Brightwood’s go-forward strategy.”
“Brightwood has a longstanding track record of supporting growth-oriented businesses across the middle market, which I believe speaks to the team’s deep-rooted sector expertise and network of longstanding industry relationships,”” said Pratt. “I look forward to working alongside a team of dedicated professionals and contributing to the Firm’s growing portfolio of investments.”
Pratt has an established record of contributions in managing risk, establishing risk governance frameworks, structuring transactions with middle market and large-cap clients and regulatory engagement. Most recently, he served as Managing Director: Global Head of Corporate & Investment Banking Credit Portfolio Management at Wells Fargo & Co., where he established a new credit portfolio function to enhance loan portfolio management and risk control capabilities.
Pratt has previously held various senior leadership positions at Mizuho Financial Group over his five-year tenure, most recently serving as Managing Director: Deputy Chief Risk Officer & Chief Credit Officer Americas. Mr. Pratt served as at Deutsche Bank in several leadership roles inclusive of Director: Head of U.S. Credit Portfolio Management and senior credit officer for Leveraged & Structured Finance Credit prior to Mizuho. He has also held similar credit and managerial positions at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Procter & Gamble. Pratt holds his MBA from Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business and bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University.