KWM leader cites Asian ‘centre of gravity’

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) recently decided on the firm’s new global managing partner and global chief operating officer (COO) to further integrate and strengthen the firm’s regional practices.

Sue Kench took over as the firm’s new global managing partner on 1 June 2017. “For KWM, we are extremely well positioned to help our clients benefit from the rise of Asia as the world’s third ‘global economy centre of gravity’, alongside the US and Europe,” Kench told Asia Business Law Journal.

“In terms of particular market opportunities, there are many that align to our firm’s expertise and our client’s aspirations such as China’s Belt & Road initiative, distributed energy, renminbi internationalization, and we continue to see short and long-term opportunities in outbound M&A as Chinese companies globalize,” she said.

“In terms of specific sectors, we are focused on infrastructure, technology and telecommunications, health, agribusiness, financial services, e-commerce, and energy and resources.”