Advisory
Digital tools essential for modern day due diligence - AVCJ Forum
PE and VC investors in Asia are becoming more sophisticated in their approach to due diligence, with digital tools an increasingly important part of the skill set, the AVCJ Forum heard.
GP-LP communication key to effective ESG policy – AVCJ Forum
Continued uptake of meaningful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies in private equity will depend on fostering deeper dialogue on the subject between GPs and LPs, according to industry participants at the AVCJ ESG Forum.
Operational value-add: Sign of the times
Budding interest in operational value-add marks a new level of maturity in Asian private equity. Trial-and-error experimentation has progressed slower than the macro motivators
China outbound deal structure: Risk factors
Many Chinese A-share companies have wholeheartedly pursued outbound acquisitions, sometimes bringing in local PE funds for support. But integrating the target into the listed vehicle can be problematic
Asia leveraged finance: Institutional aspirations
PE firms can obtain financing for leveraged buyouts in Asia on increasingly favorable terms, but this doesn’t necessarily point to institutionalization – or at least, not yet. For now, banks still lead the way
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.
