Private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice — which has been behind some of the biggest distribution M&A deals over the past decade — has added an industry veteran to its advisement staff.

CD&R shared Nov. 11 that it appointed Bill Galvin as an operating advisor to CD&R Funds, where he’ll play an active role in helping the firm identify, source and executive new investments in the industrial sector and work closely with CD&R’s team and portfolio companies.

Galvin is a 36-year industrials veteran and the former President and CEO of Anixter International, which he led from July 2018 through June 2020 when it was acquired by Wesco — a former CD&R portfolio company.

While at Anixter, Galvin led the distributor through significant transformation that included network innovation and a focus on sustainability and geographic expansion. He helped spearhead Anixter’s strategic acquisitions of Tri-Ed Distribution and HD Supply’s Power Solutions unit. Galvin rose through the ranks at Anixter after beginning his career there in 1984 on its sales and marketing team.

“Bill has built an outstanding reputation for driving growth and expansion across the industrial distribution sector and is well known to the CD&R investment team,” CD&R CEO Nate Sleeper said in a news release. “We believe his strategic insights will be highly additive to CD&R funds’ investment activity and portfolio businesses.”

Galvin currently holds director positions on the boards of Integrated Power Services and Maclean Power Systems.

“I have had the opportunity to build a relationship with the CD&R team who are well known in the industrial distribution sector, and their commitment to building sustainable businesses by forging partnerships, and driving growth and operational excellence resonates with me,” said Mr. Galvin. “I look forward to contributing to the future success of the CD&R funds and their portfolio companies.”

At the start of 2024, CD&R bought a significant stake in Foundation Building Materials. At the end of 2023, the firm bought packaging, JanSan and print products distributor Veritiv Corp. in a deal valued at $2.6 billion. Also in late 2023, CD&R appointed former White Cap CEO John Stegeman as an operating advisor.