Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has announced the appointment of Andrew Blacoe as the new head of its corporate practice in Asia to meet client demands for new technology.
Blacoe brings a wealth of experience to this role, having resided in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 18 years. He has led the firm’s energy, infrastructure and mining team in Tokyo since 2013, and was promoted to partner in 2012. Along with his new role, he will continue to serve as the managing partner in Tokyo.
Carolyn Pugsley, co-global managing partner of corporate, expressed her confidence in Blacoe’s leadership. “Our Asia clients remain active and ambitious, especially in our priority areas of private capital, energy transition and tech. Andrew has the cross-border deal experience to oversee our growth in the investment corridors critical to our clients, particularly those between Asia and Australia, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East,” Pugsley said.
Blacoe succeeds Graeme Preston, who takes on the role of Asia managing partner, and also shared his enthusiasm for this transition. “This is an exciting appointment at a pivotal time for our corporate practice in Asia. As clients respond to new technologies, partnerships and market complexity, Andrew has the experience to ensure that our ongoing investment in people and practice skills matches that client demand,” Preston said.
