Global law firm Ashurst announces the strategic hire of James Ford as a partner in the global investment funds practice, based in Hong Kong. The appointment underscores the firm's commitment to continue to strengthen its capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and enhancing its service offerings in the investment funds sector.
James brings with him extensive experience in private equity and other alternative asset classes, with a particular focus on fundraisings, secondary transactions, asset manager M&A, strategic investments, and capital markets transactions. He advises clients in structuring funds and transactions to address a wide range of regulatory, tax and transactional issues, and is a pioneer in the APAC secondaries market. He has strong relationships with Asia and Middle East sovereign wealth funds with respect to investment into private funds across numerous sectors, strategies, and geographies.
Ben Hammond, Hong Kong office managing partner, commented: "We are delighted to welcome James to our team. His appointment is a significant step in our strategy to grow our presence in China and Hong Kong, as well as the broader Asia-Pacific region. James' expertise and established client relationships will be invaluable in enhancing our service offerings and supporting our clients' needs in this dynamic market."
Nick Goddard, global practice head of investment funds, added: "James' appointment is a key milestone in the growth of our investment funds practice. His extensive experience and strong track record in the funds sector, particularly in secondary transactions, align well with our strategic priorities. We are confident that James will play a crucial role in driving the continued success and expansion of our global investment funds practice."
James said: "I am excited to be part of Ashurst's esteemed investment funds practice. The firm's strong global presence and commitment to excellence in the investment funds sector provide a fantastic platform for me to contribute and grow. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver exceptional service to our clients and to further strengthen Ashurst's position in the market."
