Ian is a legal practitioner and an experienced finance professional whose dynamic career spans two pivotal domains that enables him to distinguish himself in his current practice area.
Despite initially aspiring to pursue a legal career, his compelling fascination with finance led him to study Economics specialising in Accounting and Finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Following his graduation, Ian immersed himself in the exhilarating realm of financial markets, amassing a 17-year tenure navigating the fast-paced world of trading fixed income, interest rates derivatives, and currency derivatives. His career trajectory saw him contribute significantly to prominent international banks across Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where he adeptly covered the Asia Pacific region. Notably, his interactions with esteemed fund managers and hedge funds remain among his most cherished professional experiences. Ian is also a Chartered Financial Analyst, further underlining his expertise in the finance domain.
Recognizing the indispensable synergy between legal acumen and financial prowess, he pursued a Juris Doctor program at Singapore Management University, marking a pivotal transition into the legal profession. Embracing this new trajectory, Ian honed his legal craft, entering the legal industry as a dedicated practitioner.
Ian's distinctive advantage lies in his ability to amalgamate his extensive finance background with his legal expertise. His profound understanding of the commercial intricacies surrounding fund management and financial regulations uniquely positions him to empathize with clients' perspectives. Drawing from his multi-faceted career journey across diverse countries and multinational corporations, Ian underscores the invaluable insight garnered in fostering meaningful relationships—an attribute he seeks to replicate within the legal realm.
Deal Highlights
Funds and Financial Regulatory
• Advised a digital asset financial services firm on the structure of its global holdings, its contracts with institutional clients, and its application to the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Payment Services Act
• Advised a robo-advisor on the establishment of a collective investment scheme investing in web3 assets
• Advised a global start-up platform on the integration of web3 systems into its worldwide ecosystem and for alignment with financial regulations
• Advised a web3 derivative products firm on compliance of its business model with prevailing and anticipated legislation
• Advised a Singapore multi-family office on the launch of 3 separate funds covering diverse investment strategies, and the regulatory implications under the Securities and Futures Act and Financial Advisers Act in respect of their proposed business activities
• Advised several Singapore fund managers on the launch of its venture capital fund using the Variable Capital Company (VCC) structures including restructuring a limited partnership structure in optimising its use of a VCC investment structure
• Acted for a Singapore fund manager in its successful application for a capital markets services licence to operate as a venture capital fund manager, and on the launch of its venture capital fund with particular focus on investments integrating sustainable technology into traditional infrastructure projects
• Advised and assisted a Singapore enterprise which focuses on renewable energy solutions in pursuing a fund management licence with particular focus on assets relating to carbon credits, renewable energy certificates and power generation
• Advised the fund management arm of a multi-national fund services firm on a bespoke notes program offered out of its British Virgin Islands fund
• Advised a web3 asset exchange on the regulatory compliance of the digital assets listed on its platform
Corporate Advisory and others
• Advised a Singapore based dental group in relation to its acquisition of other dental clinics overseas and in Singapore
• Advised a number of start-ups in their fund-raising activities
• Advised and acted for a Singapore association on its constitutional amendments and internal regulations
