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Baker McKenzie is advising Peak Reinsurance Company Limited (“Peak Re”) in connection with the entry into and completion of definitive agreements with KKR and Quadrantis Capital for the acquisition of minority stakes in Peak Re via Peak Reinsurance Holdings Limited. This strategic partnership will reinforce Peak Re’s commitment to serving its global clientele. 

Peak Re is a global reinsurer specializing in emerging markets. Established in 2012, Peak Re ranks 27th among global reinsurance groups in terms of net reinsurance premiums written. KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. Quadrantis Capital is a Portuguese investment management firm specializing in private equity and venture capital. 

The Baker McKenzie team was led by private equity partners Xinxing Chen* and Derek Poon and supported by partners Martin Tam, Joachim Frick, Kenneth Ching, Stephanie Magnus**, Laura Liu*** and the core team included Felix Liang, Jacqui Song, Curtis Tse, Lesley Luo, Vivian Tsang, Steven Chen, Gerald Lam and Scarlett Ng. 

Completion of the transactions is subject to customary conditions including regulatory approvals. 

With more than 2,700 deal practitioners in over 40 jurisdictions, Baker McKenzie is a transactional powerhouse. The Firm has the broadest M&A footprint of any law firm globally, with more than 1,300 locally qualified and globally experienced M&A lawyers. The team excels at advising clients on their most complex, cross-border M&A matters and has advised on more than USD 600 billion in M&A transactions in the last five years (Refinitiv; 2020-2024).

(Alliance News) – South32 Ltd on Thursday said Karen Wood will retire as chair in February, with Independent Non-Executive Director Stephen Pearce confirmed as her successor.

Wood has served as chair of the Perth, Australia-based diversified mining company since 2019, having originally joined the board as an independent non-executive director in 2017.

The appointment of Pearce as her replacement follows a formal succession process, and the announcement coincides with the day of the company’s annual general meeting.

“Stephen’s extensive financial and commercial acumen, combined with his strong leadership and industry experience, makes him the right person to lead the board as South32 enters its second decade,” Chair Wood commented.

Pearce joined South32 in February and currently serves elsewhere as a non-executive director at the London-based aerospace and defence firm BAE Systems PLC, and at the Sydney-based petroleum company Ampol Ltd.

During his career, Pearce has worked in the mining industry as chief financial officer and executive director at Perth, Australia-based Fortescue Ltd from 2010 to 2017, followed by a stint as finance director at London-based Anglo American PLC from 2017 to 2023.

“I look forward to working with the board and the lead team as we continue to sustainably reshape our business and work to discover our next generation of base metals mines,” Chair-elect Pearce said.

South32 shares were 0.5% higher at AUD3.18 in Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

By Elijah Dale, Alliance News senior reporter Asia-Pacific

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