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Charles Butcher

Managing Partner
Asia

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Languages: English

Charles is the Managing Partner and the Head of M&A of our Asia offices.

Charles and his team handle complex, cross-border projects for our global clients investing in APAC and outbound projects for our Asia-based clients investing in the UK, EMEA, the Americas and intra-regionally.

Charles began his career in Australia practicing in Sydney, Perth and Ho Chi Minh City before relocating to Hong Kong where he has been based since 2007. He has helped corporate, institutional and private capital clients investing in, from or through most Asia Pacific jurisdictions including Greater China, Australasia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Charles has deep deal experience across most sectors and sub-sectors including in particular TMT, financial services, life sciences, industrials and energy & natural resources.

Charles leads a dynamic and collaborative M&A team, which is strongly results driven and committed to finding practical, innovative and commercial solutions for our clients. 

Charles' recent experience includes:

  • advising Baird Capital on its LBO of leading APAC audio-visual services provider Vega Global and on private equity investments in pan-Asia bereavement care business Nirvana Asia and specialist corporate signage and design business Polymer Composite Asia
  • acting for HNA Group on its HK$4.93bn sale of HK Express Airways to Cathay Pacific Airways  
  • representing Iron Mountain on its acquisition of the records management business and assets of the Santa Fe group in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Macau, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, South Korea and Spain
  • supporting JAS Worldwide on its acquisition of global logistics business Tigers across 15 jurisdictions
  • helping Naked Brand Group on its transformational combination with Cenntro Automotive Group

Recognized by Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Greater China and Legal 500.

Charles is very responsive and provides very high-level advice on highly nuanced cross-border M&A transactions that allows us to make appropriate commercial business decisions - Chambers Greater China, 2024

Charles Butcher is a class act. As well as just getting the job done, provides very useful market/territory insight which is very valuable. - Legal 500 

Charles Butcher advises clients on cross-border acquisitions, sales, buyouts and investments. A client comments that he 'makes us feel like a premium client,' noting that 'his responsiveness and level of service is second to none.' - Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2020

Charles Butcher is a lawyer who is ‘always looking for the right solutions for his clients’, according to market commentators... One client refers to him as a ‘standout operator’, remarking on his ‘legal ability, commercial awareness of the client’s objectives and his tireless work to get the best results.’  - Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2019

Charles Butcher is ‘fantastic’ with corporate matters, according to a source, who also reports: ‘We have been very happy with him because he is very commercial and responsive, and can also mobilize other resources to help us within his firm and outside of it.’ - Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2018

Clients are effusive in their praise for Charles Butcher. One says that he is a ‘superb drafter - really elegant and focused,’ while another describes him as an ‘excellent negotiator who is able to articulate things very well.’ - Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2017

Charles Butcher should be the first choice for anyone seeking assistance with any corporate and M&A transactions in Asia. I’ve dealt with numerous lawyers over the past 16 years and I can honestly say, very few are as professionally competent, with very good business oriented mindset and care more about customer service than him. Beyond his technical capabilities, Charles Butcher is clear thinking, able to communicate and explain well on any complex matters helping us to make the decisions more accurate and successful. - General Counsel, Asia-Pacific, Global technology company

Ranked ‘Visionaries’ in The A List 2023 by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ)

Recognized in Chambers Greater China 2022, 2023

Recognized in Chambers Asia Pacific 2020, 2021

Recognized in Chambers Global 2019, 2020

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Recommended Lawyer 2020-2024

Acritas Stars Independently rated lawyer, 2019

 

B.Com (Finance) (UNSW, 1995)

LL.B (UNSW, 1997)

Charles Butcher

Managing Partner

Asia

Charles Butcher

Managing Partner

Asia

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