CLSA adds to mezzanine fund team

CLSA has responded to the growing popularity of the mezzanine funds industry by appointing Geoff Lee as director of investments in the firm's MezzAsia Capital L.P team. He will be based in Hong Kong with his primary coverage responsibilities focusing on the China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan markets.

In a newly created position, he becomes the fourth member of a dedicated mezzanine fund team that was officially launched last year to support buy-out funds and expand medium-sized businesses across Asia.

He will report to Stephane Delatte, the Singapore-based managing director of the firm's mezzanine fund.

One of the highlights for the team so far this year has been a deal for India's Alok Industries involving an issuance of redeemable preference shares aggregating Rs68 crore ($14.85 million) and warrants convertible into equity shares aggregating Rs33.2 crore ($7.25 million).

"We're now positioned to increase our presence in Greater China and assist both companies and private equity firms to raise mezzanine capital across the region," comments Delatte, in response to Lee's hiring. "His track record and expertise will support our growth strategy in North Asia."

Lee heads to CLSA from HSBC where has was a director in the investment banking division. Prior to this he was with Peregrine.