Advisory
Placement agents: Asian entries
Asia’s sparse placement agent scene is fleshing itself out despite macro headwinds, but the model is being revised to adapt to a changing market. This appears irreversible
Clifford Chance poaches Asia funds partner from Kirkland
Clifford Chance has bolstered its Asia private funds offering with the recruitment of Liyong Xing, formerly a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Emerging Asia start-ups: Governance revisited
Even a modest cooling off from tech investment euphoria experienced in the peak of the pandemic could reveal big cracks in Asian start-up markets. Diligence efforts are ramping up, but is it enough?
Asia PE firms must get smart, integrated on due diligence - Bain & Co
GPs must take a more comprehensive and integrated approach to due diligence in Asia if they are to find ways of driving operational improvement in companies and justify lofty entry valuations amid mounting economic uncertainty, according to Bain & Company.
Rede opens Hong Kong office, appoints Asia head
Placement agent and fundraising advisor Rede Partners has opened an office in Hong Kong and appointed Charles Wan, formerly of Atlantic Pacific Capital, as Asia head.
Blue Owl recruits Pak-Seng Lai from UBS
Blue Owl Capital, a US alternatives manager expanding its Hong Kong operations, has hired Pak-Seng Lai, a managing director at UBS, to head its Asia Pacific private wealth business.
US GP invests $30m in Australia's Protecht
US venture capital and private equity firm Arrowroot Capital has invested AUD 42m (USD 30m) in Australian enterprise risk management software and services provider Protecht Group.
Linklaters targets Singapore fund formation space
Linklaters has recruited Joel Seow, formerly a partner at Morgan Lewis, to launch a fund formation practice in Singapore.
Diversity & inclusion: Acting with intent
GPs are looking to build teams representing different genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds as stakeholders call for more diversity and studies suggest it leads to better decision making
2022 preview: ESG
Keeping tabs on sustainability credentials at the portfolio and company level will become more data-driven and collaborative. Eventually, getting results will require greater sacrifices
Blue Owl buys Asia-based placement agent
US alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital has acquired Hong Kong placement agent Ascentium with a view to establishing a physical presence in the territory and pursuing a broader regional expansion.
Deal focus: Permira passes Tricor baton to Baring
Permira helped Tricor Group consolidate its position in Asian corporate services and upgrade its product offering. Under Baring Private Equity Asia’s ownership, the CEO wants to build a $10 billion company
Going green is delicate, incentives-driven work – AVCJ Forum
The integration of sustainable practices into private equity firms and portfolio companies is a "diplomatic process," investors told the AVCJ ESG Forum.
Hong Kong IPOs: Winner by default
New York’s loss is expected to be Hong Kong’s gain as regulatory and political turbulence drives Chinese start-ups to look for alternative listing destinations – unless valuations become a sticking point
HNWIs & private equity: The road to retail
From B2C aggregation platforms to nascent blockchain-based products, solutions that bring alternatives to the mass market are emerging. Providers prefer to be labeled enablers than disrupters
HNWIs & private equity: Access all areas?
The private equity industry wants more efficient and inclusive ways to raise high net worth money than private bank feeder funds. Technology, in different ways, might provide the answer
Japan digitization: Easy targets, hard to hit
Japan’s massive mid-sized business sector is still trading in its fax machines for the cloud, sometimes willingly, sometimes begrudgingly. PE’s help is most needed in terms of mindset
Goodwin strengthens Asia fund formation team
Goodwin has recruited Phil Culhane and Elyn Xing, who previously worked together at Simpson Thacher, as Asia-based partners in its private investment funds practice.
ESG best practice: From global to granular
The value creation-driven PE playbook on ESG in Asia converts marginal gains into big picture policy wins – provided investors focus on the right areas and the flow of information isn’t stymied
Virtual reporting: Lost in translation
GP-LP reporting in the age of remote portfolio assessments and stilted video catchups leaves much to be desired. Both sides are trying to bridge the divide, but no best-practice approach has emerged
Blockchain: Going mainstream
The most disruptive technology in financial services is also the most esoteric and misunderstood. As a long, speculative uptake phase unfolds, investors are coming to terms with the future
Lazard makes senior private capital advisory hire in Asia
Lazard has recruited Patrick No, formerly head of Asia financial sponsors coverage at Credit Suisse, as a managing director in its private capital advisory group.
Myanmar: Asia’s anguish
Myanmar has proven unique among Asia’s frontier markets in terms of volatility and risk. As its ongoing humanitarian and political catastrophe deepens, a sense of helplessness has taken root
Bain & Co names Australia PE head
Bain & Company has appointed James Viles as head of its Australia private equity practice, a newly created role.