Global law firm Freshfields has announced the appointment of Private Capital partner Sean Donovan to its Global M&A and Capital Markets practice in Singapore.
Donovan rejoins Freshfields from Permira, where he served as a Managing Director for six years across Hong Kong, Singapore and London. Before 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 in 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 will enhance Freshfields’ ability to establish and maintain deep client relationships and dedicated client coverage, while unlocking growth opportunities across the region.
Matt O’Callaghan, Asia Managing Partner, said, ‘Sean brings the right combination of local market knowledge, transactional experience and in-house perspective that our clients value. 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, and we are delighted to welcome him back.’
Charles Hayes and Patrick Cichy, Co-Heads of Global M&A and Capital Markets, added, ‘Sean’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. We look forward to working with Sean to deepen our client relationships and grow our private capital offering across Asia and beyond.’
Donovan commented, ‘I am thrilled to be rejoining Freshfields at such an exciting moment for the firm and for the private capital market in Asia. My time at Permira has given me a deeper appreciation of what our clients need and how we can best support them. Singapore is a fantastic base from which to build on the firm’s already strong presence in the region, and I am particularly looking forward to working alongside such an exceptional team.’
