Derek Kwan

With 20 years of experience acquired in Singapore and Hong Kong, Derek has advised on the structuring and formation of all types of private funds vehicles including conventional blind pools, clubs, co-investment funds, sidecars, high-net-worth feeders, investment platforms, consortiums, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, separate accounts, captive funds, CVC programs and other bespoke investment structures.

As part of his fund formation practice, Derek regularly advises on sponsor-related matters including the establishment of fund management businesses, joint venture fund management platforms, co-sponsor arrangements and carried interest plans. He works with our highly rated regulatory and tax specialists to deliver holistic solutions to fund managers.

His practice also encompasses representing investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, family offices and corporates, on their fund investments, co-investments and strategic investment partnerships with operators.

Recognised in leading legal directories such as Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 and IFLR1000, Derek is noted for his outstanding work in the investment funds space, particularly in private real estate funds. He is known for delivering tailored solutions to clients.

• Advised APG, NPS and CBREGI on the formation of a consortium vehicle, and its buy-out of CBRE Asia Retail Fund (from over 20 institutional investors) which owns a trophy commercial property in Asia.
• Advised China Overseas Land & Investment Limited on its joint venture with ICBC International to establish a fund management platform, and the formation of Harmony China Real Estate Funds I and II, both China focused real estate residential funds.
• Advised Eastbridge Partners on the formation of Eastbridge Fund III, an Asia-focused private equity fund, the establishment of a joint venture fund management platform with OMINVEST and the formation of Jabreen Eastbridge SEA Fund, a Southeast Asia focused private equity fund which comprises conventional and Shariah parallel funds.
• Advised ESR on the formation of ESR Data Centre Fund I, its first data centre fund, and the formation of ESR Co-Investment Pan-APAC Fund, an Asia Pacific focused logistics development fund.
• Advised Gaw Capital Partners on the formation of Gateway Real Estate Funds II, III, IV, V and VI, all pan-Asia private equity real estate funds and various co-investment funds.
• Advised Godrej Fund Management on the formation of various India focused real estate funds including GRIP II (residential), Godrej Office Fund I (core and core-plus office) and GBTC I and GBTC II (build-to-core office).
• Advised M3 Capital on the formation of Everview Capital Partners, a private investment platform (backed by a US pension plan), which serves as the group’s new platform for its pan-Asia real estate investment management business.
• Advised Sime Darby Property on the formation of Sime Darby Property - LOGOS Property Industrial Development Fund, a Malaysia focused Shariah logistics fund.
• Advised SK Group on the establishment of a joint venture global fund management platform with a team of senior energy and infrastructure investment professionals, and the formation of Prostar Global Natural Resources Fund I and Prostar Global Energy Infrastructure Fund I.
• Advised portfolio companies of Warburg Pincus on the formation of various Asia focused real estate, logistics and life sciences investment partnerships and ventures platforms.

• Law Society of Hong Kong
• Law Society of Singapore
• Singapore Academy of Law

• Hong Kong