Advisory
Hong Kong tax: Playing catch-up
Hong Kong is introducing various initiatives intended to encourage private equity firms to bring more of their operations onshore. A failure to act may see Singapore emerge as Asia’s jurisdiction of choice
StepStone adds partner in Beijing
StepStone Group, a provider of private markets advisory and asset management services to institutional investors, has promoted Beijing-based Vincent Hsu to partner.
GP due diligence: Stones unturned
The expansion of private equity activity in developing markets is translating into greater due diligence pressure on LPs seeking reliable fund managers. Solutions are intuitive but difficult
Bain & Co's Suvir Varma joins Campbell Lutyens as advisor
Placement agent Campbell Lutyens has appointed Suvir Varma, until recently head of Bain & Company’s financial investor practice in Asia Pacific, to its global advisory board.
PE industry cautiously optimistic on Hong Kong tax reforms
Industry participants have praised steps taken by the Hong Kong government to make it easier for private equity firms to operate locally, while cautioning that challenges remain regarding the regulation of managers in the territory.
Natixis merges regional PE units
The asset management business of Natixis has launched a global private equity firm by merging three existing PE affiliates, including Singaporean fund-of-funds Eagle Asia Partners.
SGG acquires PE fund administrator Augentius
Private equity and real estate fund administrator Augentius has been acquired by SGG Group, an investor services provider to alternative asset managers, corporations, and high net worth families.
Hong Kong to amend unpopular PE tax exemption
Hong Kong plans to amend the tax exemption for private equity funds, which was introduced in 2015 with a view to making it easier for GPs to operate locally but has been criticized by industry participants as unworkable.
PE and SMEs: Southeastern bind
Difficulties connecting private equity investors with small to medium-sized enterprises in traditional industries remain a key barrier to growth in Southeast Asia. Novel approaches will be necessary
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) 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
