Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, Was Invited as Guest of Honor at the 2021 London Business School China Business Forum
On May 15, 2021, Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, attended the 2021 London Business School China Business Forum and shared his unique insights, which impressed the participants. Mr. Chen explained that the pandemic had a negative impact on investment banking business, and the quarantine requirement caused a great hindrance to business travel, with some projects closed without meeting related parties. In addition, he suggested that the overall leverage ratio of the Chinese economy is high, and the legal basis for bankruptcy protection in China is gradually improving, so more restructuring opportunities are expected to emerge in China in the future.
Founded in 2012, the London Business School China Business Forum is one of the largest and most influential China-focused business forums in Europe. The forum aims to engage business, academic, and political leaders in a conversation that offers incisive understandings of industrial dynamics and diverse insights into the future development of China, Europe, and the world.
The 10th forum was titled “The Future is Everywhere: Adapt and Achieve,” which featured an engaging program of panel discussions, covering wide-ranging topics. Prominent speakers from around the world were brought together to share their knowledge in diverse fields, covering challenges and opportunities, young leadership, sustainability, etc.
Participants who attended this business forum included Professor François Ortalo-Magné, Dean of London Business School; Yang Xiaoguang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom; Stephen Perry, Chairman of the Forty-Eight Group Club of the United Kingdom; Qingzhong Pan, Executive Deputy Dean of Schwarzman College of Tsinghua University and Deputy Dean of One-Belt-One-Road Research Institute; Henry Tillman, Founder of China Investment Research; and David Wei, Founding Partner and Chairman of Vision Knight Capital, among others.
Houlihan Lokey Awarded “Golden Whistle Award for Best Financial Advisor in 2020–2021 China Investment & M&A”
On April 28, 2021, the “8th Global Investments and M&A Summit” and the “7th Golden Whistle Award Ceremony,” themed “New Industry Chain Innovation,” held as scheduled. The conference was organized by Morning Whistle Group and Shanghai Innovital Capital Investment Management Co., Ltd.
During the conference, Houlihan Lokey was awarded the “Golden Whistle Award for Best Financial Advisor in 2020–2021 China Investment & M&A.” In 2020, Houlihan Lokey advised 14 cross-border M&A transactions, involving a total transaction amount of US$11.95 billion and for five cross-border M&A restructuring transactions, including the privatization of 58.com (NYSE:WUBA); the privatization of Wanda Sports (NASDAQ:WSG); the financing of Sinovac Biotech (NASDAQ:SVA); and the financing and debt restructuring of Luckin Coffee (OTCPK:LKNC.Y). Houlihan Lokey is persistent in the providence of professional capability and expertise required by M&A transactions and will continue to provide high-quality services for leading companies in China’s market.
Morning Whistle Group is an industry-leading intelligent transaction information provider focusing on primary market, which has established long-term partnerships with about 800 investment banks, 200 law firms, 200 government investment promotion agencies, and 100 overseas private equity funds worldwide.
Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, Attended the SPAC Networking Session With King & Wood Mallesons to Share SPAC Investment Banking Practices
On April 5, 2021, as a mentor of the Cheung Kong English MBA program and an alumnus of CKGSB EMBA, Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, attended the SPAC networking session with King & Wood Mallesons as the keynote speaker to share his opinions about investment banking practices in SPACs.
Mr. Chen introduced the business overview of Houlihan Lokey and SPAC market trends to CKGSB students and alumni. In addition, he shared the practical knowledge of SPACs and the role of investment banks in SPAC transactions. Mr. Chen also summarized the unique advantages, professional experience, and value that Houlihan Lokey can provide as a cross-border M&A financial advisor in SPAC transactions. Finally, International Partner Ling Huang and Partner Rui Zhou from King & Wood Mallesons gave a detailed introduction to the legal issues involved in SPACs.
As a senior investment banking expert, Mr. Chen answered questions from CKGSB students and alumni on the related topics. They were impressed by Houlihan Lokey’s leading international investment banking services.
Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, Attended the “UIBE Alumni Forum,” Focused on Prospect and Opportunities in the Post-Brexit China and U.K. Market
On January 17, 2021, Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, attended UIBE Alumni Forum hosted by YOUNEE Coffee and assisted by the University of International Business and Economics Alumni Association.
At the forum, Mr. Chen shared his transaction experience and brought vivid and informative cases to participants. He shared his views on the prospect and opportunities in the post-Brexit China and U.K. markets, emphasizing the critical role in investment banks for advising investments under unfavorable circumstances.
Xiaofei Lu, Partner in Baker McKenzie’s London office, and Chanchan Wang, Senior Vice President in Houlihan Lokey’s London office, were invited to speak at the event.
Houlihan Lokey Awarded “Best TMT M&A Financial Advisor” by Mergermarket
On October 31, 2020, Mergermarket announced the results of the 2020 China M&A Awards. Houlihan Lokey’s China team was awarded “Best TMT M&A Financial Advisor.” As a leading investment bank in the global financial market, Houlihan Lokey will continue to leverage its professional capabilities to provide high-quality M&A advisory services and offer strategic suggestions through all stages of the company’s development.
Mergermarket is one of the most influential independent M&A market information service providers, covering more than 67 countries and regions worldwide, focusing on providing professional market advisory for top financial institutions, legal advisors, and multinational companies.
Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, Was Invited as the Guest Speaker at Hong Kong University Leaders Online
On April 22, 2020, Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, was invited as the guest speaker at Hong Kong University Leaders Online to share his insights about M&A and restructuring opportunities in the volatile capital market.
Mr. Chen presented the potential transaction opportunities and M&A procedures for listed companies and financial investors to the participants of the Hong Kong University Business Leadership Class. He also shared the trends and considerations regarding Chinese companies’ cross-border M&A activities. Furthermore, Mr. Chen discussed the key considerations during the execution of U.S.-listed Chinese companies going private. Last but not least, he presented the characteristics of the debt restructuring and acquisition opportunities and summarized the roles and values provided by Houlihan Lokey as a professional financial advisor.
As a senior investment banker, Mr. Chen answered the practical questions asked by the course attendees. The participants of the Hong Kong University Business Leadership Class were impressed by Houlihan Lokey’s leading international investment banking services.
Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, Was Invited to Attend the 2020 London Business School China Business Forum
On April 8, 2020, Weimin Chen, Managing Director and Head of China at Houlihan Lokey, was invited to attend the China Business Forum (CBF) organized by London Business School to share the M&A opportunities for Chinese companies. Since its inception in 2012, the CBF has become one of the most influential forums focusing on China’s business development. It has been reported by CCTV, China Global Television Network (CGTN), People’s Daily Online, and Phoenix News. The forum connects the leaders of business, academia, and politics in China and Europe.
This year, the forum attracted more than 2,000 participants and was titled “From stumbling blocks to stepping-stones: China in the 2020s.” Top economists, business leaders, and governors from around the world joined together to interpret the challenges and opportunities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to global businesses, the healthcare industry, and the economy.
Mr. Chen shared the capital market transaction track records of Houlihan Lokey. He pointed out the three major trends that were taking place: privatization of U.S.-listed Chinese stocks, Chinese companies actively buying and selling European and American assets, and restructuring accordingly under the highly volatile market condition.
