Global law firm Freshfields has appointed Sean Donovan as its private capital partner for its global merger and acquisition ( M&A ) and capital practice in Singapore.
Donovan rejoins Freshfields from Permira, where he served as a managing director for six years across Hong Kong, Singapore and London. Prior to Permira, Donovan worked in Freshfields’ private capital M&A team for over eight years, spending time in the London and Hong Kong offices. He is dual qualified in England and Wales and New Zealand, and advises on transactional matters across all sectors.
Singapore remains a central hub for the firm’s global private capital clients seeking opportunities in Southeast Asia and India. Donovan’s appointment, the firm states, will enhance its ability to establish and maintain deep client relationships and dedicated client coverage, while unlocking growth opportunities across the region.
“Donovan brings the right combination of local market knowledge, transactional experience and in-house perspective that our clients value,” says Matt O’Callaghan, the firm’s Asia managing partner. “We continue to invest in talent across the region and ensure we have the bench that meets our clients’ needs. Having spent over eight years at Freshfields before his time at Permira, he returns with an even richer understanding of the private capital landscape.”
Charles Hayes and Patrick Cichy, co-heads of global M&A and capital markets, add: “Donovan’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to building a best-in-class private capital practice on a truly global platform. His experience advising on complex transactions across sectors, combined with his time as managing director at one of our key clients, gives him a perspective that is genuinely rare and hugely valuable.”
