New York-listed Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, the global investment firm, has hired former Central Intelligence Agency director David Petraeus as chairman of the newly-created KKR Global Institute.

The firm said it has, in recent years, increased engagement on macroeconomic and geopolitical considerations, as well as on environmental, social and governance issues.

“The KKR Global Institute will be the nexus of KKR’s focus on the investment implications of these issues,” it said in a statement.

The new venture will also build on efforts to help KKR’s portfolio companies expand globally, it added.  

Petraeus, a retired four-star general, will work with a team at KKR and alongside Ken Mehlman, global head of public affairs, and Henry McVey, global head of macro and asset allocation.

Additionally, Petraeus will support KKR’s investment teams in the diligence process, particularly when considering investments in new geographies, the firm said.

Founded in 1976 and led by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, KKR has $78.3 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2013.