Moelis & Company appoints former WSJ editor Barker to board

NEW YORK - Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC) announced on Tuesday the appointment of Thorold Barker to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025.

Barker, who served as The Wall Street Journal’s Editor for Europe, Middle East and Africa for 10 years, brings over three decades of experience across journalism, finance, and geopolitics. During his tenure at the Journal, he oversaw coverage of major events including the European debt crisis, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The appointment comes as Moelis & Company maintains strong financial performance, with a 92% gross profit margin and consistent dividend payments for 12 consecutive years.

Prior to his role as regional editor, Barker joined the Wall Street Journal in New York in 2008 as Editor of Heard on the Street. His earlier career included positions as U.S. Editor of the Lex Column and reporter at the Financial Times, following an initial role as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company.

"Thorold brings a unique perspective shaped by his global experience across business, media, and policy, which makes him a valuable addition to our Board," said Ken Moelis, Chairman and CEO of Moelis & Company, in a press release statement.

Barker will join as an Independent Director alongside existing board members Dr. Louise Mirrer, Kenneth Shropshire, and Laila Worrell.

Currently, Barker serves as a Senior Adviser at AlixPartners, a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford, and sits on the board of Tiger21. He holds a degree in Modern Languages from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Moelis & Company is a global independent investment bank that provides strategic advice and solutions to corporations, governments and financial sponsors.

In other recent news, Moelis & Company reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, with adjusted diluted earnings per share at $0.64. This figure was slightly below Citizens JMP’s estimate of $0.65 but exceeded the consensus estimate of $0.59. The firm’s revenues reached $307 million, marking a 41% increase compared to the same quarter the previous year. Moelis’ revenue composition included two-thirds from mergers and acquisitions and one-third from capital markets and restructuring. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley upgraded Moelis’ stock rating from Underweight to Overweight, citing a record deal pipeline and projecting significant revenue growth. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained their Outperform rating for Moelis, with a price target of $69, expressing confidence in the company’s leadership transition. Ken Moelis is set to step down as CEO, transitioning to Executive Chairman, with Navid Mahmoodzadegan taking over as CEO. This leadership change is part of a long-term plan to leverage Moelis’ internal talent and solidify its growth trajectory.

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