Carlyle in talks to hire ex-Goldman exec Schwartz as CEO - reports

Private equity firm Carlyle Group CG is in talks to hire Harvey Schwartz, a former Goldman Sachs (GS.O) executive, as its new chief executive officer, Semafor reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The negotiations aren't complete, and it wasn't clear if other candidates are still in the mix, the report said. But if finalized, Schwartz's hiring could be announced as soon as next week, it added.

Carlyle has also been considering internal candidates including Peter Clare, a veteran dealmaker who is the chief investment officer of it private equity unit, and Mark Jenkins, head of its fast growing credit investment operations, for the CEO role, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Among external candidates, Carlyle was considering Citigroup Inc C Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason and Morgan Stanley MS Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Pruzan as contenders for its CEO role, the Financial Times had reported last month.

Carlyle did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Washington-based Carlyle has been looking for a permanent CEO "with a sense of urgency" since August after Kewsong Lee abruptly stepped down from the post. According to a Reuters source, his exit was triggered by negotiations on a new contract over which he clashed with Carlyle's board.