AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum
Asia's premier private equity & venture event for the last 36 years
LIVE Broadcast & In Person
Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong & Online
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ESG Summit
(13 Nov) -
DE&I Summit
(13 Nov) -
PE Leaders Summit
(14 Nov) -
VC Summit
(14 Nov) -
LP Summit
(14 Nov) -
Investment Summit
(15 Nov) -
Investment Summit
(16 Nov)
Co-host
PRI
ABOUT THE PRI AND THE SIX PRINCIPLES
The PRI works with its international network of signatories to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. Its goals are to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance issues and to support signatories in integrating these issues into investment and ownership decisions. The six Principles were developed by investors and are supported by the UN. They have more than 2,000 signatories from over 60 countries representing over US$80 trillion of assets.
HOW DID IT ALL START?
The Principles for Responsible Investment were developed by an international group of institutional investors reflecting the increasing relevance of environmental, social and corporate governance issues to investment practices. In early 2005, the then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan invited a group of the world’s largest institutional investors to join a process to develop the Principles for Responsible Investment. A 20-person investor group drawn from institutions in 12 countries was supported by a 70-person group of experts from the investment industry, intergovernmental organisations and civil society.
THE PRI’S MISSION
We believe that an economically efficient, sustainable global financial system is a necessity for long-term value creation. Such a system will reward long-term, responsible investment and benefit the environment and society as a whole. The PRI will work to achieve this sustainable global financial system by encouraging adoption of the Principles and collaboration on their implementation; by fostering good governance, integrity and accountability; and by addressing obstacles to a sustainable financial system that lie within market practices, structures and regulation.
THE SIX PRINCIPLES AND SIGNATORIES’ COMMITMENT
As institutional investors, we have a duty to act in the best long-term interests of our beneficiaries. In this fiduciary role, we believe that environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, regions, asset classes and through time). We also recognise that applying these Principles may better align investors with broader objectives of society. Therefore, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, we commit to the following:
1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles
ESG Outlook: The latest trends in private markets
Despite growing resistance from some quarters, and a rapidly changing investment landscape affected by geopolitical instability, rising interest rates and cost of living and energy security, ESG-related assets under management are rising and growing in importance. Although there is tighter ESG scrutiny, private market stakeholders acknowledge the significance of embedding ESG considerations into their investment decision making and LP scrutiny continues unabated. This shift in momentum, as well as how to address the key challenges for the private markets community in the region, will be discussed by our panel of industry leaders.
- What are the key ESG trends emerging in 2023/24?
- Have we seen increased ESG implementation in the region?
- What are the expectations on harmonisation of regulatory and reporting standards?
- How to address the risks surrounding transparency and accountability?
Networking Break
Energy transition and the circular economy
Energy transition is viewed as the best opportunity set for private equity in a generation, with annual investment on the road to net zero expected to be in the US$ trillions for the next 20+ years. Depending on their investment mandate and competence, GPs need to decide how to approach such an opportunity and where best to build a platform and expertise. With the energy transition shift coming with its fair share of challenges, our expert panel will discuss how, where and when to invest.
- What are the energy transition opportunities in the region, and which sectors and geographies hold the most promise on the road to net zero?
- How are GPs setting and implementing net zero targets and strategies?
- Are we seeing a rise of circularity assessments impacting investment decisions?
- How to overcome the challenges of decarbonisation?
What to expect in 2024: Creating Value by Integrating ESG in Investment and Asset Management Practices
According to Morrison Foerster and AVCJ’s Asia Funds ESG Survey 2023, the economic uncertainty and the backlash against ESG, particularly in the U.S., resulted in many GPs taking a pause on rolling out new ESG policies as they digested the new regulations being adopted and implemented in many jurisdictions that impact those GPs and their portfolio companies. However, portfolio companies having a head start on reducing their carbon emissions and being prepared to respond to data requests from their customers will likely be the winners in the long term. Our panel of experts will discuss how the onslaught of new regulations will create opportunities for value creation for GPs that properly structure their ESG policies and work with their portfolio companies to ensure that they are ahead of their competitors.
- How are GPs and their portfolio companies managing the onslaught of ESG regulations and taking advantage of value creation opportunities for themselves and their portfolio companies?
- How have GPs worked with their portfolio companies to ensure that they are both reducing and accurately measuring their carbon emissions so that they are prepared for competing for business in a world where value chain due diligence will make lower carbon emissions a prerequisite to winning business?
- In Europe and North America, there is a lot of discussion about “responsible tech.” Is this a concept that applies in Asia? Will North American and European LPs and customers of portfolio companies push for its application in Asia? Does responsible tech result in value creation opportunities for GPs and their portfolio companies?
- How has the backlash against ESG impacted GPs and their portfolio companies?
Networking Lunch
Under the radar: Impact investing opportunities
Although impact investing was once seen as a very small part of private markets, the market size of impact has grown significantly over the last few years and is now estimated to be over US$ 1trillion. With the recent societal and economic shifts accelerating societal demands for ethical and sustainable investments, there is an increased urgency for bigger capital allocation to impact by LPs and GPs alike. Hear from leading private market investors on how they implement, measure and capture impact investments.
- What is the current size of the impact investing market in Asia?
- How do GPs integrate impact considerations throughout the investment lifecycle, and how they measure the impact?
- What are LPs that focus on impact looking for in terms of managers or impact investments?
- What are the key opportunities for impact investing in Asia?
Managing social risks through better governance
In light of the global concerns around the rising cost of living and climate change, investors are broadening their thinking to scrutinise supply chain risk exposure, environmental footprint, workforce location and flexibility, and pay equality when making investment decisions. As human capital increasingly impacts corporate values, GPs need to consider transparency and social risks in their decision making as well as growing concerns around AI. In this session, leading GPs will share their thoughts on how navigating your social risks with the required transparency and accountability is a must when future proofing your business.
- What are the key social considerations this year?
- How do GPs evaluate target companies in terms of social risks?
- How to minimise risk in your supply chains?
- How the region rates in human capital and governance practices?
Networking Break
ESG integration: Tackling data challenges
One of the biggest hurdles for ESG implementation is collecting and reporting quality data from portfolio companies. Difficulties in accessing relevant ESG data is partly due to the reduced level of reporting needed for private companies, as well as lack of comparable metrics across industries and geographies and continues to be a major roadblock when looking for a holistic view on fund performance and where a greater ESG focus is required. Our panel of experts will discuss and share how they overcome data challenges and leverage the data to drive value creation.
- What are the key data issues facing GPs in their ESG implementation?
- How important is data in identifying portfolio risk during due diligence and beyond?
- What role does portfolio engagement play in improving data challenges?
- How can GPs use data to propel value creation?
LP spotlight: The investor ESG expectations from private markets
LPs face an increasingly complex investment landscape due to geopolitical tailwinds and growing global concerns related to ESG challenges. As LPs continue to embrace ESG, this has a monumental impact on their decision making when it comes to capital allocation and manager selection. A group of leading LPs will offer insights into their current strategies, the future requirements and how they view the region in terms of progress from ESG perspective.
- What is the expectation of LPs in the region when it comes to ESG progress?
- What is the view on the geopolitical impact and growing backlash against ESG?
- How do LPs validate ESG claims by fund managers?
- How do LPs engage with GPs in terms of monitoring and measurement challenges?
Close of summit and cocktail reception
Registration
GP leader insights: moving the needle on diversity, equity and inclusion
According to a 2022 industry report, 26% of private equity roles in Asia Pacific were held by women, compared to 23% in America and 21% in Europe, with 40% representation at the VP level- yet numbers dropped off to 10% at the principal level. It is clear, therefore, that whilst the conversation surrounding DEI and gender parity in the region has shown promise in the past few years, in practice, progress has been slow, especially at the top. What obstacles to diversity remain, and what needs to be done by all facets of the industry - from the investment committee level to institutional investors? Our panel of regional and global GP leaders will share updates on their individual firm’s progress, views on the industry and provide actionable insights.
- How has the conversation of diversity and inclusion moved along in the past year in APAC, and is it becoming more of a priority amongst investment committees?
- Have GPs been facing increased pressure from global and regional LPs to diversify their teams, and has there been an increased emphasis on diversity metrics/data?
- What strategies have GPs put in place to look at diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond gender, in areas such as ethnicity, cultural background, education, and unique skillsets?
- What are senior private equity leaders doing in Asia to ensure that they are making meaningful and concrete improvements towards DEI in their respective firms?
Networking Break
Driving diversity in venture capital and entrepreneurship
Research has suggested that VC firms that fail to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion may face more issues during a challenging fundraising environment. Despite increased DEI efforts globally and regionally, women and racial minority representation within VC firms remains limited, particularly at the senior level. In Asia, whilst female representation in entrepreneurship has risen, male founders disproportionally receive the bulk of VC funding. What needs to be done to ensure a more equitable playing field within the industry? Our panel of leading regional venture capital investors and entrepreneurs will discuss and debate how the industry can move forwards.
- Why does increased diversity in the venture capital industry lead to better returns, performance, and enhanced innovation?
- Why is a top-down commitment to diversity necessary in the venture capital industry?
- What are some concrete examples in which the APAC VC industry has helped to foster an inclusive environment for female/minority entrepreneurs?
- What more needs to be done to drive DEI adoption within the industry, from an internal and portfolio company perspective?
The role of institutional investors as a catalyst for change in the industry
Global institutional investors continue to emphasize the importance of improving diversity within their organizations as well expecting more from their external managers. Indeed, institutional investors are increasingly asking their GPs for diversity metrics - both qualitative and quantitative - as part of their capital allocation decision making process. However, a lack of standardized reporting metrics in the industry has meant that progress has been slow. As a major influence of GP behavior in the industry, there is much more that needs to be done to move the needle. Our panel of global and regional LPs will discuss and debate best practices to enhance DEI reporting in Asia and beyond.
- How have LP conversations shifted in the past year in APAC, and how can they push for more diverse investment teams?
- Why is there a need for a standardized approach/industry benchmark towards diversity, equity and inclusion in private equity?
- What are some of the challenges LPs have faced when pushing DEI targets and initiatives in Asia?
- What have LPs been doing internally within their organizations to promote DEI?
Close of summit and Networking Cocktails
Registration
Asian private equity: Reality versus perception
- What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
- To what extent have valuations really corrected?
- How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
- What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Portfolio management: Redefining the playbook
- How can GPs make best use of technology and tools to deliver value?
- What constitutes best practice in worst case scenario planning?
- From carbon footprints to supply chain risks: What is top of mind for LPs on reporting?
- Where are GPs investing in value creation and how do they organise internally?
Fundraising: The art and science of investor relations
- How is the investor relations function evolving in Asia?
- What are the best ways to engage prospective LPs, before and during a fundraise?
- How should GPs go about sourcing capital from previously untapped markets?
- What are the main challenges in repositioning a manager or strategy?
Networking Lunch
Due diligence: Brave new world
- How will artificial intelligence transform due diligence?
- What tools and resources are required for effective talent assessment?
- How has geopolitical instability changed the way GPs think about risk?
- What does the consultancy crackdown mean for due diligence in China?
Fundraising: Structures, terms, and administration
- Are difficult fundraising conditions encouraging structural innovation?
- In what ways are terms and conditions becoming more LP friendly?
- What are fund administrators doing to differentiate their offering?
- How can technology be utilised to make fundraising more efficient?
Liquidity solutions: Slicing and dicing the upside
- What are the biggest obstacles to the use of alternative liquidity solutions in Asia?
- How should GPs think about the risk-reward of preferred equity?
- Is now the time for NAV lending in Asia?
- What does the banking crisis from early 2023 mean for fund finance?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Asian venture capital: Navigating headwinds
- How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
- Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
- What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
- Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?
Institutional angle: Demystifying the Asia opportunity
- Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
- How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
- Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
- How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions?
Close of summit
Cocktail reception
Sponsored by
EmergeVest
http://www.emergevest.com/Formed in 2013, we are a global investment firm with US$850m+ of AuM that seeks to build great businesses, provide innovative capital solutions and generate value for all stakeholders.
We are active in cross-border mid-market M&A via our growth-oriented buy-and-build investment strategy. We invest at the intersection of supply chain, technology and finance, where we have proven domain knowledge and operational expertise. We employ the EmergeVest Operating System to drive value creation at our portfolio companies, with fundamental, operationally-led growth and sustainability strategies. Our flagship example of value creation is our portfolio company, EV Cargo, a global supply chain and technology leader.
For more information, please contact info@emergevest.com.
Registration
Asian private equity: Reality versus perception
- What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
- To what extent have valuations really corrected?
- How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
- What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Exits: Getting creative
- Which markets in Asia are still open for technology IPOs?
- Is it still possible to exit via an up-round to a growth-stage investor?
- Are GPs now more inclined to take 5x today rather than wait in the hope of 50x?
- What are the options for VC in terms of alternative liquidity solutions?
China: Plotting a new course
- When will China normalise and what will the new normal look like?
- Are renminbi-denominated funds necessary to invest in certain areas?
- How has regulatory uncertainty impacted the ability to predict exit scenarios?
- Will decoupling define the future of Chinese venture capital?
Executive address (Joint session with the PE Leaders' and Limited Partner Summits)
Networking Lunch
Global mindset: From Asia to the world
- What does being global from day one mean in different geographies?
- Are cross-border strategies only applicable to business-facing start-ups?
- What obstacles do Asian SaaS companies face when targeting new markets?
- Which is the best Asia-to-global bet: artificial intelligence, crypto, or climate tech?
India: The region’s venture growth story
- Local vs. global – does the size of the domestic market justify delaying international expansion?
- What sectors are VCs betting on – B2C, climate tech, AI, cybersecurity?
- Is the domestic technology IPO phenomenon living up to expectations?
- How meaningful is local LP support for VC and where is the money coming from?
Artificial intelligence: Transformational opportunities
- How can VCs help existing portfolio companies address the disruptive impact of AI?
- Where are the biggest generative AI-driven opportunities in Asia?
- How do investors confront the ethical dilemmas of generative AI?
- What do advances in AI mean for the internal operations of VCs firms?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Asian venture capital: Navigating headwinds
- How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
- Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
- What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
- Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?
Institutional angle: Demystifying the Asia opportunity
- Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
- How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
- Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
- How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions??
Close of summit
Cocktail reception
Sponsored by
EmergeVest
http://www.emergevest.com/Formed in 2013, we are a global investment firm with US$850m+ of AuM that seeks to build great businesses, provide innovative capital solutions and generate value for all stakeholders.
We are active in cross-border mid-market M&A via our growth-oriented buy-and-build investment strategy. We invest at the intersection of supply chain, technology and finance, where we have proven domain knowledge and operational expertise. We employ the EmergeVest Operating System to drive value creation at our portfolio companies, with fundamental, operationally-led growth and sustainability strategies. Our flagship example of value creation is our portfolio company, EV Cargo, a global supply chain and technology leader.
For more information, please contact info@emergevest.com.
Registration (Closed-door LP only sessions)
Asian private equity: Reality versus perception
- What positives can be drawn from 2023 across different geographies and sectors?
- To what extent have valuations really corrected?
- How does the availability of deal financing in Asia compare to the rest of the world?
- What should GPs prioritise when looking to deliver value to investors?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Portfolio construction: The appetite for Asia
- Does Asia represent an attractive risk-return proposition?
- What makes exposure to Asia important from a portfolio diversification perspective?
- Is now the time to consolidate GP relationships in the region?
- Which is preferable: broad pan-regional coverage or sector specialist managers?
Asset allocation: Public versus private, debt versus equity
- What do rising interest rates mean for target returns from private markets?
- How have asset allocation priorities changed in the last 12 months?
- What evidence is there that the current and coming vintages will deliver strong returns?
- Where are the bright spots in a bleak investment environment?
Networking lunch
Round table discussions – RSVP only, 12 seats per table
- The evolution of ESG: From compliance to value creation
- Secondaries: Beyond the bid-ask spread
- Sector specialists vs diversified managers: Who has the edge?
- The diversity debate: What LPs want from GPs
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Asian venture capital: Navigating headwinds
- How deep are valuation corrections across different stages and markets?
- Which business model characteristics are now a turn-off for investors?
- What can GPs do to help portfolio companies beyond burn rate management?
- Will secondaries play meaningful role in venture capital in 2023 and 2024?
Institutional angle: Demystifying the Asia opportunity
- Do returns alone justify an allocation to Asia?
- How helpful are the last 10 years in assessing which GPs will deliver in the next 10?
- Is now the time for a contrarian investment thesis in Asia?
- How prevalent are ESG and DEI in allocation decisions?
Close of summit
Cocktail reception
Sponsored by
EmergeVest
http://www.emergevest.com/Formed in 2013, we are a global investment firm with US$850m+ of AuM that seeks to build great businesses, provide innovative capital solutions and generate value for all stakeholders.
We are active in cross-border mid-market M&A via our growth-oriented buy-and-build investment strategy. We invest at the intersection of supply chain, technology and finance, where we have proven domain knowledge and operational expertise. We employ the EmergeVest Operating System to drive value creation at our portfolio companies, with fundamental, operationally-led growth and sustainability strategies. Our flagship example of value creation is our portfolio company, EV Cargo, a global supply chain and technology leader.
For more information, please contact info@emergevest.com.
Registration
Global leaders: Entering a new paradigm
- Are private markets on the cusp of a long-term structural shift?
- What will define success over the next 10 years?
- Is sector specialisation the key to effective differentiation?
- What are the main challenges facing the industry today?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Asia buyouts: Adapting to circumstance
- How do GPs build conviction around large-cap opportunities in Asia?
- Does Asia need to become more innovative on deal financing?
- How are GPs thinking about extended holding periods and liquidity needs?
- Is technology changing approaches to sourcing and due diligence?
Asia middle market: A multi-tiered phenomenon
- To what extent do global and geopolitical macro forces impact deal flow?
- Are there particular deal types or industry categories that are more compelling?
- Why would managers leave the middle market? What has the pan-regional decline in IPOs and trade sales meant for exits?
- How are GPs and their portfolio companies taking advantage of value creation opportunities brought by ESG?
Networking lunch
Track 1: Southeast Asia: Moving to centre stage
- What opportunities are being created by China uncertainty?
- Where are valuations in Southeast Asia moving?
- What kinds of businesses can be truly pan-regional?
- How are deal-sourcing channels evolving?
Track 2: Global venture capital: Accessing innovation
- In which areas is the valuation correction most keenly felt?
- How wide-ranging is the generative AI investment opportunity?
- What are the prospects for growth-stage technology investors?
- Why should Asia-based LPs look at venture capital in the US and Europe?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Track 1: China: Optimism in adversity
- Is the valuation drop-off large enough to stimulate investment?
- Which sectors exhibit the most resilience or growth potential?
- How are heightened risk factors influencing investment decision-making?
- What can GPs do about the tougher exit environment?
Track 2: Special situations: Right product, right time
- To what extent are there signs of distress in Asia?
- Are potential returns enough to offset greater emerging markets risk?
- What structural solutions are used to turn somewhat investable into investable?
- Which niche strategies or overlooked sectors are getting most traction?
Institutional investors: The great re-set
- Are private markets less favoured by investment committees than before?
- What do consistently higher interest rates mean for portfolio construction?
- Have terms and conditions re-aligned to the benefit of LPs?
- How is global uncertainty impacting appetite for co-investment?
Gala cocktail reception
Gala Dinner
Sponsored by
Affinity Equity Partners
http://www.affinityequity.com/Affinity Equity Partners is an independently owned private equity fund managers established in March 2004 following the spin-off of the UBS Capital Asia Pacific team, the successful private equity arm of UBS AG in the region. Affinity raised its fourth external fund of US$6.0 billion in December 2017. Affinity Equity Partners currently advises and manages more than US$14 billion of funds and assets, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney and Beijing. Since inception, Affinity Equity Partners has completed over 50 landmark transactions in eleven countries across various industries and sectors with aggregate transaction value of US$22 billion. Our Firm invests in businesses with an established track record, strong market positions, demonstrable earnings momentum and growth ambitions.
Value creation: Bolstering the bottom line
- How are macro conditions prompting greater proactivity in portfolio management?
- Are GPs more focused on cost controls than they were before?
- What represents best-in-class in terms of internal operational capabilities?
- To what extent are ESG strategies being used as a value driver?
Networking coffee break
Sponsored by
Intralinks
https://www.intralinks.comIntralinks, an SS&C company, is a leading financial technology provider for the global dealmaking, alternative investments and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, our technology enables and secures the flow of information, empowering our customers to work more productively and with complete confidence. Intralinks facilitates strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate lending, debt sales, capital raising and investor reporting. Our solutions enhance these activities by streamlining operations, reducing risk, improving client experiences and increasing visibility. We’ve earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Global Fortune 500 and have executed over $35 trillion in financial transactions on our platform.
Track 1: India: Asia's growth-at-scale play
- Are India’s fundamentals strong enough to ride out global macro concerns?
- Which sectors are the most compelling in terms of valuations and growth?
- What can GPs do to leverage cross-border expansion potential?
- How transformative is increased local LP participation for the asset class?
Track 2: Japan: Asia’s momentum play
- Is Japan more resilient to external pressures than other Asian markets?
- Are carve-outs and succession being joined by other sources of deal flow?
- Is Japan in danger of running into an exits overhang?
- Should currency depreciation be more of a challenge or opportunity?
Track 1: Private credit: Conducive deployment conditions
- What sort of returns can investors expect from private credit?
- Where are the best direct lending opportunities to be found?
- How are managers balancing rising demand with increased focus on downside risk?
- Is now the time to raise a dedicated Asia credit fund?
Track 2: Secondaries: Asia and beyond
- Does Asia follow global trends in terms of secondaries activity?
- What are the key motivating factors behind sales of LP positions?
- How is the bid-ask spread across different markets holding back GP-led deals?
- To what extent can subordination of economics facilitate transactions?
Track 1: Exits: Liquidity lags
- What is the outlook for PE-backed IPOs across different markets?
- Can GPs secure favourable exit outcomes through more targeted sale processes?
- In what circumstances does a single-asset continuation fund make sense?
- Are traditionally defensive sectors still commanding premiums?
Track 2: Infrastructure: Thinking outside the box
- What are the key factors in the evolving definition of infrastructure?
- Which geographies and strategies should thrive amid geopolitical adversity?
- What is the outlook for storage technologies and grid reliability in renewables?
- Where and how will investors generate liquidity?
Networking Lunch
Healthcare: Asia’s perceived safe haven
- Could healthcare – or certain sub-sectors of it – be considered recession-proof?
- How can investors tap into Asia’s need for better healthcare infrastructure?
- What was the impact of the correction in biotech valuations?
- How is artificial intelligence changing healthcare?
Private wealth: The democratisation of private markets
- Where are the persistent pain points in targeting high net worth capital?
- What is being done in terms of education and expectations management?
- Are semi-liquid products a long-term solution for mainstream access to PE?
- What is the trade-off between technology enablement and human touch?
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Tim Burroughs is managing editor of Asian Venture Capital Journal, having joined the publication in May 2011. He is responsible for all editorial content put out under the AVCJ brand, including Asian Venture Capital Journal, AVCJtv, AVCJ Awards and AVCJ.com. Tim previously spent five years at China Economic Review, serving as editor-in-chief and then editorial director. Located in Greater China since 2003, during which time he has lived in Beijing, Qingdao and Hong Kong, Tim has been a China-based contributor for publications including The Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, BBC and China Daily. Prior to moving to China, he trained and worked as a journalist in the UK. He was honored at the Society of Publishers in Asia awards in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and at the State Street Institutional Press Awards - Asia in 2012.
Ben Ridley is an accomplished sustainability and ESG practitioner with a blend of 30 years’ expertise across environmental consulting, corporate ESG advisory and sustainable finance. He is a Partner at ERM focussed on supporting clients in the financial sector. Ben was Asia Pacific lead for ESG financing and advisory at Credit Suisse with roles in first and second lines from 2008-2023, and Board Director and East Asia environmental consulting leader at BMT group up to 2008. He has academic and professional qualifications in ecology, environmental management, and finance. Ben remains involved with impact finance as advisor to two funds. He lives in Hong Kong with his wife and their three grown children.
Mr. Zhao founded InnoVision Capital (known as the “Firm”), in 2016. Mr. Zhao sits on the investment committee of the Firm and is responsible for sourcing proprietary investment opportunities and overseeing execution of new investments and exits as well as the Firm itself.
Mr. Zhao also acts as the primary partner where he serves as the head of portfolio companies’ management committees, in addition to serving on their boards, and leads the close monitoring of their operational and financial performance.
Prior to Founding InnoVision Capital, Mr. Zhao was a Director at KKR Asia where he spent over 10 years, responsible for investments in the consumer, service and technology sector in Greater China. Mr. Zhao started his career at Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia.
Mr. Zhao earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from Tsinghua University.
Dr. Virginia Alzina is a Managing Director of EmergeVest, where she is Head of Sustainability and is responsible for leading our ESG strategies. She is also the Chief Sustainability Officer of EV Cargo, an EmergeVest company with more than $1 billion of annual revenues and global operations.
Dr. Alzina has over 25 years of global experience across Environmental and Social Governance matters with a particular focus on sustainability, resource efficiency, climate change, sustainable production and pollution control. During her 12 years in Hong Kong and Myanmar, she successfully developed sustainability strategies and applied resource efficiency to improve company performance. Prior to EmergeVest, Dr. Alzina was Group Head of Sustainability at Yoma Strategic Holdings, Managing Director of Environ Myanmar, Managing Director of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production of Mediterranean countries, and Senior Environmental Specialist at the InterAmerican Development Bank.
Dr. Alzina has a Ph.D. in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Licenciatura in Sociology and Political Sciences from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca.
Mr. Octoman is a Senior Partner at Navis and an Investment Committee member.
Mr. Octoman joined Navis in 2000. His primary responsibility is to manage the Navis Asia Credit Fund, as a senior member of the team, and to ensure that synergies with Navis’ Private Equity platform are optimized. He also oversees the ESG Portfolio Operations team and drives the strategic focus of ESG at Navis. He has extensive private equity investment experience across multiple Navis funds investing in the ASEAN region and was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Navis, overseeing the Navis Private Equity Funds’ Investment Committee decision-making process, the Portfolio Operations group, human capital, and Navis’ strategic banking relationships.
Prior to joining Navis, Mr. Octoman worked with Price Waterhouse Coopers with a focus on capital market transactions and financial due diligence in emerging markets. Mr. Octoman also worked for KPMG in Australia and Canada in Business Advisory services.
A lifetime resident of Australasia, having been raised and educated in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accountancy from the University of South Australia and is an Australian qualified Chartered Accountant. He is also a member of the UNPRI PEAC committee.
Joining BCI in 2022 and based out of New York City, Evan leads the ESG program for the Private Equity asset class. BCI’s ESG strategy focuses on improving the sustainability and integrity of global capital markets, while creating favorable economic conditions and long-term value for our clients and the communities we invest in.
Prior to joining BCI, Evan was the Senior Managing Director & Global Head of ESG at S&P Global, where he led the implementation of their ESG Strategy, and oversaw M&A transactions and operations. Evan’s efforts at S&P Global significantly contributed to establishing S&P Global as a preeminent provider of ESG and climate solutions to corporates and capital market participants.
Prior to joining S&P Global, Evan contributed to the development of the ESG and Impact Investing Platform for Deutsche Bank’s Asset and Wealth Management vertical in the America’s and was responsible for the continuous oversight of the program. Evan brings over 20 years of Private Equity investing with focus on ESG, alternative markets, financial services, and M&A across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Evan graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Markets and completed his MBA at Harvard Business School.
BCI’s Private Equity program has grown to $24.8 billion in privately held companies and funds with long-term growth potential. The program includes a talented team of over 60 investment and operational professionals with specialized in-house asset management expertise, contributing to the growth of the total fund exposure, increasing direct and co-sponsor deals, and extending the portfolio global reach. BCI’s Private Equity program is a significant contributor to the corporation’s $211.1 billion in assets under management, making BCI one of the largest institutional investors in Canada.
Kelly Pu is a Partner in our Private Equity practice and serves as the APAC co-head of our technology and cloud services businesses for financial investors. Based in Hong Kong, Kelly is also an expert in our digital capability, ESG, and retail practices.
With over 10 years of consulting experience, Kelly has supported global and regional asset managers in sector scans and commercial due diligences across industries such as technology and cloud services, business services, and retail. Furthermore, Kelly leads extensive work with private equity portfolio companies and Bain’s corporate clients, focusing on strategy, digital transformation, ESG, and overseas expansion opportunities.
Before joining Bain, Kelly held a position at Anheuser-Busch InBev’s APAC regional team. Kelly is an alumna of Tsinghua University, where she majored in Chemical Engineering.
Robin oversees global editorial and research coverage for Infralogic. A 24-year news veteran, with 16 of them spent editing financial news, Robin has worked for some of the world's leading news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires and Bloomberg. He has been a regular on live television, commenting mainly on Chinese government and central bank policy. At Infralogic, he is responsible for daily news coverage and analysis written by a team of journalists spread across the globe, including the Americas, EMEA and the Asia-Pacific region.
Stefano Ghezzi joined OTPP in 2017 and is member of the Infrastructure and Natural Resources team based in Singapore covering the infrastructure and renewable sectors across Asia Pacific. During his time at OTPP Stefano has been involved in investments globally including the recent acquisitions of Caruna Networks, SGI and IDEAL, amongst others. Prior to joining Ontario Teachers', Stefano worked in the infrastructure and energy group at Citigroup and in derivatives trading at Commerzbank in London.
Stefano holds a M.Sc. in Finance from Warwick Business School and a B.Sc. in Economics from Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan.
Mr. James Tam has over 25 years of experience in investments and corporate finance. He joined Bain Capital in 2019, and is currently a Partner in the Private Equity team focusing on Greater China. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Mr. Tam was the Head of Asia Pacific Mergers & Acquisitions at Morgan Stanley.
Mr. Tam is now responsible for leading and managing Bain Capital Private Equity's investments in the industrials and new energy sectors, and he is currently a board director at EcoCeres Inc. and Vitalink Technology. He also has extensive experience in advising on multiple landmark cross-border M&A transactions over the past decade.
Mr. Tam graduated from the University of Chicago with B.A. in Economics and M.A. in International Relations in 1998
Ms. Ye is Director of NIO Capital, leading the firm’s USD investor relations, ESG strategy, as well as horizontal portfolio management. Since joining the firm in 2017, Ms. Ye played an instrumental role in setting up the USD fund series of NIO Capital. She also takes charge of the firm’s initiatives on ESG practice as a member on the ESG committee. Meanwhile, Ms. Ye oversees the fund’s investments in Inceptio, Aulton and Dida as the deal leader, and spearheads topics such as research and exit strategy across the whole portfolio.
Prior to NIO Capital, Ms. Ye worked for Hony Capital, a Chinese leading private equity firm. Ms. Ye holds Bachelor’s degree from Fudan University with a major in International Finance and pursued her Master’s degree in Mathematical Finance at Boston University.
Sharon Yang (Hong Kong) joined KKR in 2009. She is currently focusing on the Climate strategy in Asia Pacific as part of the Infrastructure business. Previously, she was a member of the Global Impact investment team, and has been actively involved with the Firm's investments in GreenCollar, EQuest Education and Five Star Finance. She has also been involved in the Firm's capital raising and capital markets teams as a product specialist leading Asia private equity, growth equity and real estate, and held responsibilities across various portfolio, strategy and operating roles within KKR Asia. Prior to joining KKR, Ms. Yang was with J.P. Morgan in New York. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Columbia College, Columbia University.
Marcia Ellis is the Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Group, a member of our global board of directors, and a member of our global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Steering Committee. Her practice focuses on private equity transactions and complex mergers and acquisitions involving companies, real estate, and other assets located in Asia. Marcia also assists PE clients in integrating ESG considerations throughout their entire investment cycle, including deal selection, pre-investment diligence, investment documents, and portfolio management.
Having practiced in Asia for more than a quarter of a century, Marcia is one of the most experienced M&A lawyers active in the Asian market. In the past three years, she has advised clients on deals with a total aggregate value well in excess of US$265billion.
Marcia has extensive experience advising leading investors on M&A transactions, , including SoftBank Vision Fund, Alibaba, GLP, Bain Capital Credit, BlackRock, Farallon Capital, Ascendent Capital Partners, Silver Crest Acquisition Corp., Macquarie Asset Management, Hillhouse, Hony Capital, and Celadon Partners. In addition, she is experienced in representing U.S., UK and Asia based institutional investors in the acquisition, financing and disposition of real estate in China, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, including numerous logistics and internet data center projects, and investment in and acquisition of real estate developers.
From 2008–2011, she was the Chief Legal Officer for Asia of D. E. Shaw, where she assisted various group entities in making, restructuring, and exiting investments in various countries in Asia, including a number of significant and highly structured investments in China and India.
Marcia has recently been awarded by the Financial Times as the Most Innovative Legal Practitioner in the Asia-Pacific region at the FT Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers 2023 Awards. She has been named to Law360’s 2022 and 2023 Private Equity Editorial Board and elected as the Co-Chair of AmCham Hong Kong’s Women of Influence Committee. Clients consider her as “a lawyer whose judgement you trust and who knows how far they can push the boundaries” and a “super skilled technical lawyer” who offers “incredible problem-solving skills on all aspects of matters, both legal and commercial.”
Amy is Managing Director as well as the Chair of ESG Committee at FountainVest Partners (Asia) Limited. FountainVest Partners was founded in 2007 and is a leading Asian private equity fund with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Prior to joining FountainVest in late 2019, Amy worked for 4 years as the CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong.
Before Save the Children, Amy spent nearly two decades in financial services with institutions including JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Merrill Lynch, working in the US and Asia, having worked as an investment banker, head of strategy, COO and Head of Regulatory Change Management. Amy is a Board Member of Langdi Pharmaceutical and serves on the ESG Committee of Amer Sports, and the Board of Rädda Barnen Service AB, a Swedish social enterprise focusing on Child Rights in business. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and has an MBA from Columbia University and she was also a Certified Public Accountant qualified in the District of Columbia, USA. Amy is a Hong Kong native and has a 21-year old daughter and a 16-year old son. She is a spiritual practitioner and teaches meditation as a volunteer on a regular basis.
Mr. Fang is the founding managing partner of Starquest Capital, a China based private equity and fund of funds firm with investment strategy focused on consumer, healthcare and technology sector. Mr. Fang oversees the FoF investment, ESG integration, business development and various activities. Starquest Capital is the first Asian recipient of the UNPRI Awards 2019 Emerging Markets Initiative of the Year.
Prior to founding Starquest Capital in 2018, Mr. Fang served as the Head of LGT Capital Partners in China for 12 years. Before joining LGT Capital Partners in early 2007, Mr. Fang worked for AXA Private Equity Group in Singapore focusing on fund of funds and direct investment in Pan-Asia region. Mr. Fang has a total of 20 years' experience in the finance industry.
Mr. Fang has invested over USD 1.5 billion in Chinese private equity market, including long-established GPs such as CDH Investments, CITIC Capital, Sequoia Capital and Legend Capital, as well as VC 2.0 GPs such as Primavera Capital, Source Code Capital and Gaorong Capital. Mr. Fang is the member of Advisory Committees for over 20 funds in China and a member of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission Expert Committee. He is also invited to be expert judge of Forbes China 2020 "30 Under 30" List.
Mr. Fang holds a Bachelor degree in Accounting from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, MBA from INSEAD Business School and EMBA from People’s Bank of China School of Finance of Tsinghua University. Mr. Fang also holds the Chinese certified public accountant qualification. He is the member of Future Forum Youth Council. His native language is Mandarin. He is also fluent in English, French, Cantonese and can use conversational German and Japanese.
Queenie Ho joined Affinity Equity Partners in 2004. She currently manages investor relations at Affinity and is a senior member of the China deal team. Prior to Affinity, she worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company working in their Greater China, Southeast Asia, Korea and London offices, focusing on financial institutions, retail, manufacturing and media sectors. Ms. Ho received a BS in Economics with First Class Honours from London School of Economics, a Masters in Finance (Distinction) from Cambridge University, UK, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Lincoln Pan is a Partner of PAG, a leading Asia-based alternative investment fund managing over US$40bn in capital, and the co-head of the Private Equity business.
Lincoln has led work for many of PAG’s overseas investments, including Unispace, Edelweiss Wealth Management, Gamot API, Craveable Brands, Joyson Safety Systems, Cushman & Wakefield, Lexmark International, Fenix Technologies, Food Union Group, The Cheesecake Shop and Young Toys. He is on the public board of Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) where he chairs the Nomination & Governance Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee, and Regional Express Limited (ASX: REX) where he is a member of the Audit Committee.
Prior to joining PAG, Lincoln was Regional CEO, Greater China for Willis Towers Watson. He previously worked with Advantage Partners, a leading private equity firm in Japan, GE Capital, McKinsey & Company and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Lincoln holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from Williams College.
Mark Watson heads Teneo's Asia Pacific ESG practice, advising the most senior corporate, financial and public sector clients on ESG matters across the region and globally, focusing particularly on ESG strategy, performance, communications, governance, climate and reputational risk and sustainable finance.
Prior to joining Teneo in 2022, Mark spent 16 years with the diverse conglomerate the Swire Group, as Global Head of Sustainability for John Swire & Sons Ltd, its holding company centred on Greater China but with operations around the globe spanning aviation, shipping, real estate, industrials and cleantech businesses. He was also Head of Environmental Affairs for Cathay Pacific Airways, part of the Swire Group, and was heavily involved in driving the airline's decarbonisation efforts and groundbreaking sustainability strategy. Mark played a leading role in the global aviation industry’s efforts to develop the landmark CORSIA scheme under the UN ICAO to address global emissions from international aviation.
In total, Mark has spent 26 years working in the ESG and sustainability arena, advising governments, corporates and international aid donors on a wide range of ESG issues in a diverse range of sectors and geographies, including leading a major UK government-funded environmentally-linked poverty reduction in the People’s Republic of China. Mark authored the book “Housing in Barbados: evolution or revolution?” in 1996, based on his environment and poverty focused Doctoral thesis.
Doug Coulter joined LGT Capital Partners in 2007 to lead its Asian private equity investment activities. Prior to LGT, Doug was a Senior Investment Officer at the IFC, responsible for direct investments in the TMT, retail & consumer and healthcare sectors. He previously worked at Nomura Securities in Hong Kong and as a lawyer at Fasken in Toronto. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, a M.Sc. from the LSE, a law degree from the University of Western Ontario and a B.A. from Queen’s University in Canada.
LGT Capital Partners is a leading alternative investment specialist with over USD 80 billion in assets under management and over 230 private equity professionals worldwide. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon, Switzerland, the firm has offices in New York, Dublin, London, Paris, Frankurt, Vaduz, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. LGT Capital Partners was selected as Alternatives Manager of the Year in Asia in 2016 and 2017 and Alternatives Fund House of the Year in 2018 by AsianInvestor, was named Alternatives House of the Year in 2020 and 2021 by Asia Asset Management and was named Fund of funds of the year in Asia in 2018 and 2019 by Private Equity International.
Ms. Buckley founded and leads Sweef Capital, a Singapore-headquartered independent impact investment firm dedicated to improving the lives of women, men, their families and communities in underserved markets by focusing on investing in high growth entrepreneurs building inclusive businesses. Sweef Capital’s investment practice is very much relationship centred and value creation oriented which instils confidence in investee companies and leverages established channels to drive strong deal flow.
Ms. Buckley comes with over 20 years in private equity leadership roles focused on growing mid-sized businesses across Europe and Asia as Head of GE Capital’s EMEA private equity business and as CIO of its Asian operations.
Prior Ms. Buckley was on the Global Investment Committee and led the Asian and women’s economic empowerment investment programs for a US-headquartered emerging market impact investment firm before spinning out the team to form Sweef Capital.
During her career, she has worked at Goldman Sachs International and Private Advisors in London and at Fletcher Challenge in Auckland.
Ms. Buckley received her MSc in International Accounting & Finance from the London School of Economics. She also holds a LLM (Hons) and LLB (Hons) from the University of Canterbury
Over the past 20 years, Katherine has built her career across the worlds of investment, social impact, and sustainability with a strong focus on emerging markets.
As the Global Climate Lead for IFC Infrastructure, Katherine drives IFC Infrastructure’s climate business across sectors, regions and products in a cross-cutting manner through strategic integration, thematic engagement, business innovation, knowledge management, and organizational leadership. She also represents IFC Infrastructure vis-à-vis various internal and external counterparts in the climate space. Over the past two years, she has played a key role in steering IFC Infrastructure to markedly ramp up its Climate Finance, boost its climate investment and advisory service offerings, and align its operation with Paris Agreement goals.
Prior to her current role, she led investment teams at IFC and originated, structured, and managed various climate and sustainability investments in energy, transport, utilities and technology sectors across Asia & the Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. During 2017-18, she joined a one-year program with IFC’s Credit and Investment Risks Department, in which she supported investment committees on decision-making and coached deal teams on risk assessment and structuring of equity and debt investments in manufacturing, agriculture, retail, and financial services sectors in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
Prior to joining IFC, she worked with Merrill Lynch’s Global M&A Team in Hong Kong, and with McKinsey & Company in Asia and the US. During her time at McKinsey, she advised financial institutions and corporations on their corporate, organization and financial strategies; and also served as a Nonprofit Practice Fellow to advise leading foundations and social sector organizations in the US on their strategy and organizational designs. She has additional experience through her work at UNDP, IDG Ventures Vietnam and Ashoka Mexico during her graduate study.
Katherine holds an MBA from Harvard Business School; an MPA in International Development (MPA/ID) from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; and Bachelor’s degrees from Yonsei University in South Korea.
Tang Zongzhong is the Head of Sustainability for BPEA EQT. He is responsible for the overall sustainability strategy, and works with portfolio companies across multiple industries on sustainability risk mitigation and value creation. He is also currently serving on the ESG Committees at several global portfolio companies. Prior to joining BPEA, Mr. Tang was at Partners Group, where he was the regional head for ESG integration and impact investing in Asia Pacific. Before that, he was an Associate Director at Blackpeak in Singapore, where he oversaw fraud, bribery and corruption assignments, focused on Southeast Asia and Greater China. Mr. Tang holds an MA Global Affairs from Yale University and a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Steve Okun has served as GPCA’s Southeast Asia Senior Advisor since 2017. Steve is Founder and CEO of Singapore-based APAC Advisors and is a seasoned private equity professional. Steve supports member relations and expanding GPCA’s industry stakeholder network in the region. He is also responsible for establishing GPCA’s Singapore and regional presence as well as training the local team. As KKR’s former Director of Asia Public Affairs, Steve also advises GPCA on public affairs and industry advocacy in Southeast Asia.
Edan Lee is a Managing Director of Olympus Capital Asia and joined the Firm in 1998. The Firm is an independent private investment manager that has been successfully investing in middle market companies across Asia for over 20 years. Since its founding in 1997, Olympus Capital Asia has invested more than $2.6 billion of equity capital on behalf of its funds and co-investors in over 65 portfolio companies throughout Asia. The Firm’s private equity strategies center on elevating Sustainable Development objectives including investments in Sustainable Energy/Water, Sustainable Cities, and Sustainable Financial Services.
Prior to joining Olympus Capital Asia, Mr. Lee served as Project Director in China for The AES Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in the mid-1990s, where he developed and financed some of the most significant foreign invested power projects at the time. Previously, Mr. Lee was a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. in the US and in Australia. Mr. Lee holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and BS (Mechanical Engineering) and BA (Economics) degrees from Rice University. Mr. Lee is a member of the Rice School of Engineering Advisory Board and a member of the Executive Committee, Stanford GSB Chapter of Hong Kong.
Shivani Sahai is the Head of Impact and ESG at Quadria Capital, Asia’s largest healthcare private equity firm with AUM exceeding US$3.5 Billion. She has over 12 years of work experience in sustainability and impact practices across sectors.
At Quadria, Shivani leads the firm's approach to sustainability, ESG, and impact, working closely with investment colleagues and company management to build sustainable businesses that deliver measurable benefits to society and the planet. She is also responsible for articulating the impact thesis and implementing the Impact Management Framework across the investment process.
Shivani joined Quadria in January 2022. Prior to this, she worked in the sustainability and ESG practice at KPMG and briefly at PwC.
Archana Kotecha is recognized as a regional expert on human trafficking and forced labour issues across APAC. A UK-qualified barrister and former corporate lawyer, Archana has over 15 years of experience advising international organizations (including the UN International Organization for Migration, UN International Labour Organization, US-AID), ASEAN bodies, governments and human rights practitioners on human trafficking and forced labour.
Archana is widely published and regularly engaged as a subject matter expert by NGOs, governments and the private sector. In 2017, Archana was named one of the top ten innovative lawyers in Asia Pacific by the Financial Times and she is also an alumnus of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program run by the US Department of State. She is regularly named as an influential changemaker and was most recently named one of Asia’s most inspiring social entrepreneurs by APAC Entrepreneur. Archana is also serves as a Steering Committee member to the RBA's Responsible Labour Initiative.
Nana joined Impax in 2022 and is responsible for leading Impax’s sustainability, stewardship and policy advocacies in Asia-Pacific. Nana researches, prioritizes and organizes ESG engagements with Impax’s investee companies and regulators, manages external sustainability and ESG-related inquiries, and assists in the ongoing development of the Impax proprietary ESG-analysis and methodologies.
Prior to joining Impax, Nana worked as the Research and Project Director at the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA). At ACGA, Nana published five significant reports relating to corporate governance research in Asia. Whilst there, she also presented to the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges and the Shenzhen Asset Management Association. Since 2018, Nana has been the Chair of ACGA’s China working group, a role she continues to fill today. Upon joining Impax, Nana remains a Specialist Consultant to ACGA.
Nana has spoken at international conferences hosted by a number of financial institutions and international organisations including the OECD, EMIA, GRI, CLSA, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Macquarie, ACGA, ICGN, IEEFA, RI Japan, Forbes, AmCham Shanghai, BritCham Shanghai and the CFA Institute.Nana also sits on the Financial Capital Committee of the International Corporate Governance Network, the ESG Committee of the Women in Finance Asia and the Caixin China ESG30 Forum.Nana has an MBA from the University of Chicago (Honors), a Master of Finance from the University of Hong Kong (Dean’s List), and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales (Distinction). She is a CFA charterholder and has finished the HKICPA Qualification Program