Blackpeak Group, an Asia-based strategic advisory firm, has expanded its corporate investigations practice in Greater China and its disputes resolutions business in Southeast Asia to meet growing demand from financial investors and corporations.
It has made five new appointments across its offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou, which was opened earlier this year.
“In addition to the significant work we undertake for financial investors, demand from MNCs for corporate investigation work continues unabated. Fraud, and corruption remain major issues for these companies operating in Greater China and we will continue to develop our geographic footprint and staffing to meet this demand,” says Jack Clode, a founding Blackpeak partner.
At the same time, the firm is developing its disputes practice business in Southeast Asia in response to growing demand for investigations and dispute resolution strategies. Requests come from distressed debt and special situations funds in restructuring situations, from financial and corporate investors in commercial disputes, and from law firms in complex litigation and arbitration cases.
As a result, Blackpeak’s Singapore office has recently added staff from Indonesia and Vietnam.
“Recent significant growth in investor interest in Southeast Asia, coupled with often unpredictable regulatory and legal frameworks, is giving rise to multiple disputes between foreign and local parties, a trend we expect to continue,” says Chris Leahy, also a founding partner. “We have a strong track record in the region and will continue to grow our capabilities and presence to meet this demand.”
According to Blackpeak, the increase in demand for corporate investigations and disputes services in the region is a “function of increasing capital flows into Asia”.
Multinational companies in the region “are facing unprecedented levels of risk within their business operations due to the complexity of supply chains, growing public demand for increased corporate responsibility as well increased regulatory oversight”.
Disputes between foreign capital providers and local partners could rise because of poor investment decisions. Foreign firms might then need support because of the “limitations of legal systems in many Southeast Asian countries”.
Blackpeak helps clients deploy capital more effectively, provides investigative and advisory services (including due diligence, dispute support and fraud investigations) as well as corporate and strategic advice for M&A, investment sourcing and transaction execution.
Its clients include private equity, distressed debt, institutional, hedge and sovereign wealth funds, as well as a wide range of non-financial companies.
