Tue, Aug 16, 2016

Duff & Phelps Expands Restructuring Advisory Practice with Relocation of James Cook to Hong Kong

NEW YORK - Duff & Phelps, the premier global valuation and corporate finance advisor, today announced that it is enhancing the firm’s corporate finance capabilities in Asia. James Cook, who served as a managing director in the firm’s Restructuring Practice in London, is relocating to Hong Kong to specialize in local and cross-border financial restructurings, distressed and special situations, debt advisory, and related services. James will work in partnership with the firm’s existing global restructuring teams that are based in key financial centers around the world – including offices throughout the UK, U.S., Cayman Islands, Ireland and Canada - and the firm’s existing valuation, disputes and investigations, M&A and fairness opinions practices in Asia.

“Duff & Phelps’ Asia Restructuring Advisory practice will complement our existing services in the region, particularly against the backdrop of rapid credit growth, higher default rates and a proliferation of cross-border stakeholder disputes in Asia,” said David Lu, Head of Corporate Finance in Asia. “We look forward to leveraging our credibility, broad service offering and international expertise to assist our clients with turnaround and restructuring situations.”


Mr. Cook brings more than 15 years of debt advisory and restructuring experience and is a Chartered Accountant. His extensive experience includes advising creditors, debtors and other stakeholders in a broad range of complex restructuring and insolvency situations, including debt raising and refinancing, options analysis, financial restructurings and contingency planning. Many of these assignments have included cross-border considerations, as well as challenging operational issues.

Duff & Phelps presence in Asia currently includes approximately 175 professionals in 11 cities throughout the region, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The firm’s 2015 acquisition of American Appraisal, in particular, contributed to significantly enhanced valuation capabilities globally. The firm’s greater China operations, which can be traced to American Appraisal’s first office in Hong Kong in 1975, are led by Patrick Wu.

About Duff & Phelps

Duff & Phelps is the premier global valuation and corporate finance advisor with expertise in complex valuation, dispute and legal management consulting, M&A, restructuring, and compliance and regulatory consulting. The firm’s more than 2,000 employees serve a diverse range of clients from offices around the world. For more information, visit www.duffandphelps.com.

M&A, capital raising and secondary market advisory services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Pagemill Partners is a Division of Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. M&A and capital raising services are provided in a number of European countries through Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd, UK, which includes branches in Ireland and Germany. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd, UK, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Media Relations

Kim Bindra
Duff & Phelps

+1 (212) 871-7522
[email protected]

Blynn Austin
Perry Street Communications
+1 (212) 741 0014
[email protected] 

 


Restructuring

Financial and operational restructuring and enforcement of security, including investigation, preservation and realization of assets for investors, lenders and companies.

Distressed M&A and Special Situations

Kroll professionals have advised hundreds of companies, investors and other stakeholders at all stages of distressed transactions and special situations.

Offshore Restructuring

Our Offshore Restructuring practice draws upon Kroll's broad financial services industry expertise to provide effective, timely advice and solutions.