European private equity firm HQ Capital has opened an office in Singapore and appointed Michael Hu as Managing Director and Head of Asia. In his new role, Hu will lead the firm’s investment and business development activities in Asia and will also join its global executive committee.
Prior to joining HQ Capital, Hu was a Managing Director at private equity firm Ardian, based in Singapore. At Ardian, he led investor relations and private wealth solutions, also acting as a senior member of the secondaries & primaries investment team.
Prior to Ardian, Hu was a Principal at investment banking advisory firm Greenhill & Co, based in Singapore and Hong Kong, where he was responsible for its capital advisory business in the APAC region.
According to a press release, the new Singapore office will serve as a base for private wealth and institutional investors in the region as well as a gateway for market activities in Australia, Greater China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia.
In a statement, Marc Brugger, CEO and CFO at HQ Capital, said: “Michael has a great track record in private equity investing, on both a primary and secondary basis, as well as co-investments, and a strong network in the region. The opening of our new Singapore office also deepens our presence in Asia, a growing market with unmet investor demands.”
HQ Capital, which was founded in 1989, has made investments in Asia since 1997 and opened a Hong Kong office in 2007. The firm focuses on the small- to mid-market. The firm has also submitted an application for a capital markets services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which is pending approval.
