30/10/07 CHAMP Private Equity Opens Singapore Office

Media Release

The Executive Chairman of the CHAMP Private Equity group (CHAMP), Mr Bill Ferris, today announced the opening of a Singapore office. CHAMP, currently investing the A$950 million CHAMP II Buyout fund, is the longest established private equity operator in Australia having successfully formed 8 funds since 1987.

“This step-out into Singapore is a logical extension of our steadily increasing engagement in the region. CHAMP has always encouraged and assisted its portfolio companies to expand into Asian markets. Relevance in Asia will be an increasing priority and test for Australian and New Zealand businesses, so we are positioning ourselves to ensure we can meaningfully help them”, Mr Ferris said.

Nathaniel Childres, Managing Director, who has been with CHAMP since its formation seven years ago, will relocate to Singapore effective January 1 to lead the investment team. Mr. Childres lived and worked in Southeast Asia during the 1990s as an attorney and foreign investment advisor with international law firm White & Case, and has recently been leading CHAMP’s increasing activity in the region.

“One key focus for the Singapore investment team will be on supporting existing CHAMP portfolio companies in implementing Asian expansion strategies, notably bolt-on acquisitions and other strategic initiatives in the region,” Mr. Childres said.

“CHAMP has a long track record of supporting its portfolio companies with M&A activity and other hands on strategic support. The Singapore office will significantly enhance our capability to support our companies in identifying, acquiring and managing acquisitions and joint ventures in the wider region”

The Singapore investment team will also focus on originating and completing middle market acquisitions in Southeast Asia that can benefit from CHAMP’s network in Australia and New Zealand, as well as from the networks of CHAMP’s US affiliate, Castle Harlan.

Mr. Childres will be joined by Shane Gong, an Associate Director recruited from an international investment Bank in Singapore. An associate will be recruited in the near future to complete the investment team.

A CHAMP Asia Advisory Board will assist CHAMP’s ambitions and is comprised as follows;

Mr Koh Boon Hwee, Chairman, DBS Group, Singapore. Mr Koh has been a member of the CHAMP Affiliates Advisory board in Australia since 2000.
Mr Ian Macfarlane AC, Former Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Mr Ian Buchanan, Former Asia Pacific Chairman of Booz Allen Hamilton
Mr Bill Ferris AO, Chairman, CHAMP Private Equity

“While much of the PE industry in Asia has been focussed on deploying financial capital into Australia, many if not most Australian companies are looking to expand offshore, in search of greater market opportunity or lower cost structures. We view one of our key roles at CHAMP as assisting Australian companies in driving growth and implementing transformational strategic change. The Asia office will give us an additional way to assist our investee companies, and create value for our investors.”

Mr. Childres is also realistic about the challenges of managing a private equity investment program in Asia. “Having led a variety of M&A and direct investment transactions in Southeast Asia during the 1990s, and having witnessed the impact of the Asian economic crisis first hand, I am keenly aware of the risk inherent in investing in Asia. On the other hand, the scope of opportunity for Australian companies, as well as financial investors who are willing to invest the time to understand the market, is enormous”, he said.

“This move offshore into Singapore continues CHAMP’s pioneering heritage, now as the first Australian based PE business to take this step into Asia”, Mr Ferris observed.

For More information, contact:

Nat Childres, Managing Director, CHAMP Private Equity
Tel: (61 2) 8248-8813 Mob: 0410 336 671
Bill Ferris, Executive Chairman, CHAMP Private Equity
Tel: (61 2) 8248-8818