The Century City-based merchant bank Forest Road Company has recruited two private equity veterans to lead its executive team. 

Caleb Kramer, a former managing director at the Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management, is now the company’s president. Keith Horn, the former chief operating officer of the New York-based investment firm Elliott Management Corp., now serves as Forest Road’s executive chair. The hires were announced on Feb. 13.

The merchant bank has made a name for itself lending against tax credits to capitalize film and television projects. Its chief executive, Zach Tarica, remains in his role.

“Being unapologetically opportunistic is embedded in our DNA, and Caleb and Keith not only bring impressive achievements and proven track records, but they also share our bold mentality,” Tarica said. “These hires mark an important milestone for the maturation of our business, and I am confident they will play instrumental roles in driving financial innovation and sustained growth for years to come.”

While starting with smaller, indie production companies, Forest Road has expanded to offer a broad spectrum of industries including renewable energy and consumer operations.

Last November, the company brought on an executive from Silicon Valley Bank’s venture capital arm to develop its investments in life sciences and health care – a local burgeoning industry.

Unlike investment or commercial banks, merchant banks like Forest Road offer alternative underwriting with a broader capital stack and often invest principally in companies. 

Founded in 2018, Forest Road raised more than $300 million in its initial startup years. 

Last month Forest Road Company expanded its intellectual property buying business, acquiring London-based ACF Investment Bank for an undisclosed amount. Last summer the brands and intellectual property-focused firm facilitated the nearly $400 million sale for the rights of both the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” franchises to Embracer Group, a Swedish gaming conglomerate.