Private equity giant KKR has hired former CIA director and retired four-star general David Petraeus for counsel on public policy, regulatory and technology trends.

David PetraeusHe will chair the newly created KKR Global Institute and coordinate activities with KKR global PA head Ken Mehlman and Henry McVey, global chief of the macro & asset allocation group.

Petraeus also will provide expertise in due diligence, especially when the New York-bases firm is considering investments in new markets, according to release.

The Institute will publish "thought leadership" pieces written by portfolio managers and sector experts.

KKR says in the aftermath of the global financial meltdown there are new regulations and changes in social public policy that have led it to "increased engagement on these areas and on the environmental, social and governance issues."

The Institute is to "be the nexus of KKR’s focus on the investment implications of these issues."

Petraeus, 60, resigned the CIA post after an FBI probe discovered an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.

The 37-year Army veteran commanded NATO forces in Iraq for 19 months and retired as commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. force in Afghanistan.