Ben has developed longstanding relationships with the most pre-eminent corporations and investors from the region including China Mengniu, Bright Foods International and Sequoia Capital from China, Nomura Research Institute, Dai-ichi Life and Softbank Robotics from Japan, and GIC & G.K. Goh from Singapore. In Australia Ben has been a trusted adviser for Qantas Airways on their M&A projects for over a decade, including their recent acquisition of a controlling interest in Trip-a-Deal. Ben's commitment to the region is evidenced by his 2022 appointment as an IBA officer of the Asia Pacific Regional Forum.

Career highlights

Over the last three years Ben has advised the following clients from the Asia Pacific on their investments in Australia:

China

• Sequoia Capital China on their investment in Animoca Brands (2022).
• Bright Foods International on their corporate governance arrangements in Australia (2021).
• China Mengniu on their proposed A$600 million acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks (2021).

Japan

• Dai-ichi Life on their proposed $980 million acquisition of Partners Life, New Zealand's second largest life insurer (2022).
• Nomura Research Institute on their acquisition of AUSIEX, CBA's wholesale sharebroking business (2021).
• Softbank Robotics on their entry into the Australian robotics market (2019).

Singapore

• GIC on a range of investments in Australia most recently being its participation in the IPO of Judo Bank (2021).
• G. K. Goh on the acquisition of a 47% stake in Australia's leading age care provider Opal Aged Care from two trusts managed by AMP.

Education
LLB (HONS), BA

• Asia Report: Year in Review
  

  The 2023 Asia M&A report highlights the strong focus on investment in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, driven by emerging themes such as energy transition and strengthened bilateral relationships.

   

• Deals, trends and opportunities from Asia
  

  What are the investment trends and prospects for investors from Asia? We explore them in our Asia Report: Year in Review, looking at China, Japan, Korea and emerging market Indonesia in detail.

• Australia-China bilateral trade and investment and opportunities
  Recently, we were delighted to host, together with the Australia China business Council (ACBC), Dr Stephanie Fahey, Chief Executive Officer of Austrade, for a cocktail reception to hear her observations about the opportunities for Australian and Chinese companies.
• 2024 Asia Report: Year in Review
  

  Our 2024 Asia M&A report highlights the strong focus on Australia by investors from Japan, Korea, China, Singapore and Malaysia, driven by renewable energy and strong bilateral partnerships.