Advisory
AIC wins domestic PE mandate from Chikyoren
Japan’s Pension Fund Association for Local Government Officials (Chikyoren), which has more than $200 billion in assets, has awarded a domestic private equity mandate to Alternative Investment Capital (AIC).
Q&A: iCapital Network's Lawrence Calcano
Launched in 2013 and backed by a string of placement agents, iCapital Network leverages technology to give high net worth investors access to alternatives. CEO Lawrence Calcano discusses the democratization of capital raising
PE and tech investment: Forward planning
The growing influence of technology across every industry is forcing PE firms to review approaches to investment. Ensuring the right people have the right information sits at the heart of these efforts
Campbell Lutyens appoints two principals in Hong Kong
Campbell Lutyens has appointed James Shipperlee and Don Yoon, both of whom are currently with the firm's fund placement team, as principals in its Hong Kong office.
Warranty and indemnity insurance: The information barrier
Warranty and indemnity insurance is growing in popularity in Asia, particularly in emerging markets. A lack of understanding is the biggest impediment to its widespread adoption
VIDEO: Morrison & Foerster's Serena Tan
Serena Tan, a partner at Morrison & Foerster, discusses trends in private equity fundraising in China
Ropes & Gray adds fund formation counsel in Hong Kong
Ropes & Gray has appointed Chune Loong Lum as a counsel with its private investment funds practice in Hong Kong. He is rejoining the firm after an approximately one-year stint with Skadden.
Campbell Lutyens opens Singapore office
Placement agent and secondary transaction advisor Campbell Lutyens has opened a new office in Singapore to support an ongoing Asian expansion agenda.
Key person clauses: Man overboard
The complexity of a private equity firm’s key person clauses – and the number of people they encompass – says much about its institutionalization. The transition is not always easy, for GPs or LPs
ESG: Policy pitfalls
Environmental, social and governance management must be handled properly to leverage its promised performance improvements. Risks around poor execution cut across all aspects of private equity
Valuation standards: Counting their blessings
Asian GPs’ portfolio valuation practices remain largely opaque, despite the value of standard frameworks. LP demand will be key to moving the industry in a more transparent direction
Secondaries: Holding patterns
Advisory firms focused on private equity secondaries are confident that Asia will fulfill its potential as an expansion market for their services. They will not be able to effectively seize the opportunity remotely
Augentius appoints new Asia head
Fund administrator Augentius has appointed Jimmy Leong as managing director for Asia following the departure of Alexander Traub to Alter Domus.
Q&A: WisdomTree's Jesper Koll
Jesper Koll, head of Japan for WisdomTree Asset Management, summons 30 years of Japanese investment experience to predict a durable growth story where an aging population has its advantages
Cooley hires fund formation partner in Beijing
Cooley has hired Xun Zeng as a resident partner in its newly opened Beijing office. Zeng joins from Ropes & Gray in Hong Kong, where she was a counsel in the private investment funds group.
Asia private equity veteran Veronica John dies at 53
Veronica John, a longstanding emerging markets investor, has died following a battle with cancer. She was 53.
Lazard appoints head of Asia secondaries practice
Dominik Woessner, formerly head of Greenhill Cogent’s secondary advisory business in Asia, has joined Lazard to lead the origination and execution of secondaries transactions in the region.
Ex-SCPE China head Wei Zhu to join Accenture
Wei Zhu, formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity’s (SCPE) co-head of global private equity, has joined Accenture as its chairman for Greater China.
LPs demand integrated approach to ESG – AVCJ Forum
Private equity investors are focusing on policy implementation, team culture and transparency as environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices become an increasingly pervasive aspect of GP-LP negotiations.
Fund structuring: Change at the margins
While the Cayman Islands remains the go-to jurisdiction for PE firms seeking a domicile for Asia-focused funds, investor demand and regulatory remit mean structures are now more carefully considered
Q&A: Zhong Lun's Yun Zhou
Yun Zhou, a partner with Chinese law firm Zhong Lun, discusses the effects of Chinese government guidelines on outbound investment in terms of who will be doing these deals, and how
General Atlantic hires ex-ambassador to boost SE Asia coverage
General Atlantic has named its second Asia-based special advisor in a month with the appointment of John A. Prasetio (pictured) to help develop business opportunities in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia.
Hong Kong tax: Still no certainty
The Financial Services Development Council has criticized Hong Kong's tax exemption for offshore PE funds - and with good reason. It remains to be seen if regulators have the will to respond the group's proposals
Hong Kong advisory body criticizes ineffective PE tax policy
Hong Kong’s tax exemption for offshore private equity funds – introduced with a view to encouraging managers to expand their presence in the territory – has failed to deliver, according to the advisory body that made detailed proposals as to how...
