John Hancock has professional and practical experience over 45 years in Asia in the legal and commercial field. He practiced law in a wide range of areas (primarily corporate investment and M&A) and local, regional, and global law firm development, legal advice, management and marketing over 35 years (25 as a Principal of the leading global law firm of Baker McKenzie). He also undertakes active roles as an independent public company director and other board, committee and advisory roles with various corporate, government, trade and educational institutions.  The sum total of these experiences have created exposure to a wide variety of industries and businesses and their operations in Asia Pacific.

In his capacity as Chairman, he provides business and related consulting services, but does not provide tax or legal advice.

John is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), awarded by the Australian Government in January 2016.

Principal and Director of Merlinus Limited, Malini has provided insights into and helped improve company operational and financial performances in the Southeast Asian region over the last 20 years. She synthesises her banking, corporate, and entrepreneurial experience to customise solutions for all business management, organisational development, and governance projects/implementations undertaken. She has worked for, and with, international banks, listed and non-listed companies, and small and medium enterprises in Asia, Australia, and Europe over the last 30 years. Her industry coverage includes banking, construction, design, energy, manufacturing, shipping and off-shore, technology, and telecommunications. She has advised on the restructuring of a key industry player’s satellite’s export finance and the issuance of a THB secured debenture for launch in the Thai market; the financing of a number of large scale power projects feeding into the Thai electricity grid; and on tax efficient structures for clients in the telecommunication and energy sectors.

A Fellow of the Thai Institute of Directors, Malini has a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of Arts, in Political Science and Political Theory, from the Australian National University.

Stephen has extensive experience in all aspects of foreign direct investment in Asia. His coverage includes all corporate, commercial, and financial aspects of investment; as well as corporate governance advisory work, particularly for joint venture project companies.

With more than 40 years of experience in the shipping and offshore sectors, Stephen has been the managing partner at a number of international law firms in Singapore, and is currently serving in an executive role as the chairman of a shipping company and of Stockbridge Pte Ltd.

Additionally, over the last 20 years, Stephen has held and continues to hold directorships on the boards of both private and listed companies in the region.

Stephen has an MA in Jurisprudence from Oxford University. He is also a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.