M&A

The joint venture Al-Futtaim Willis has been in operation for five decades and is based in Dubai and Bahrain; after securing a reinsurance broking license in Saudi Arabia, WTW is continuing its expansion in the region.

The hire of Alun Evans from A&O Shearman will strengthen advising capabilities targeting private funds’ local market transactions.

The investment in the Apac serviced apartment and rental housing firm could be worth as much as $150m, with the money set to help expand Dash Living's footprint in the region, in particular in Japan.

Demographics, economic growth and government initiatives are bolstering demand to provide more investment into India's healthcare infrastructure, as overall PE sentiment in the region improves.

Corporate reforms designed to extract shareholder value are at risk of being delayed but not derailed, even as trade tariffs prompt near-term obstacles, market experts told FA.

Siew Kam Boon will take on the Singapore role, while Biswajit Chatterjee will take on the Dubai role from Rahail Ali, who will return to his practice full time.

Sydney-based Ben Connolly will step up from his real estate role, while Philippe Perzi will join from Goldman Sachs where he was managing director and head of FIG.

The Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven, under bid from a Canadian rival, has said it will replace its chief executive officer, spin off its US business and has agreed to sell its superstore business to Bain Capital.

BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment will control the two ports in the Panama Canal; the deal includes ports in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East, but not in Hong Kong or mainland China. CK Hutchison's co-managing director Frank Sixt said the deal "is purely commercial in nature".