“Robert E. Diamond Jr., a former chief executive of Barclays, did not have to look far to choose the top executive of his new investment company, Atlas Mara Co-Nvest.

“Atlas Mara, which is focused on investments in the African financial sector, said on Tuesday that it had appointed John Vitalo, chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa at Barclays since 2009, as group chief executive.

“He is a business builder, deeply knowledgeable in the critical areas of technology and risk, and he is trusted by his colleagues and clients,” Mr. Diamond said in a statement.”

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Read full NY Times Dealbook article here.