About Me

We understand clients' needs, local markets, different business cultures.

We provide practical tailored solutions and handle complex multi-jurisdictional transactions.

With over 18 years' experience in a range of corporate work across various sectors in Singapore and Asia Pacific, I have developed a broad area of expertise around mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital and equity capital markets.

The practice encompasses advising buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions in the private and public markets. I also advise on private equity and venture capital investments and exits.

The rise of technology transforming various industries and the economy has created exciting opportunities for businesses. Being at the heart of Asia in Singapore, I am privileged to be part of the legal team that will help with the disruptions and transformation in this digital era. At Bird & Bird where technology is very much a driving force behind what we do, we are well placed to serve your clients as we understand your needs. The transactional team works closely with the firm's sectoral colleagues where deep pockets of sectorial expertise sit. We have been involved in several cross border transactions in the Asia Pacific region and also inbound investments from elsewhere into Singapore and the region and outbound from Singapore into the UK and Australia and Europe.

The other important focus of my practice is equity capital markets. We help local and international corporates, including start-ups, to raise capital by way of initial public offerings, private placements, rights and warrants issues, Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) offerings and take-private transactions for companies on the Singapore Exchange. We also act as Singapore counsel in outbound initial public offerings on other key international stock exchanges including NYSE, HKSE, ASX and Bursa Malaysia.

Having previously worked at other international law firms in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore, I am able to bring to the table the international experience and ability to seamlessly coordinate efforts across borders in multi-jurisdictional deals.
Experience
  • Advised Telenor ASA in the investment by Telenor in Carousell and the concurrent merger between Carousell and Telenor's 701Search, which owns leading general classified sites Mudah in Malaysia, Cho Tot in Vietnam, and OneKyat in Myanmar, resulted in Carousell's value rising to more than US$850 million (S$1.16 billion).
  • Acting for Canaccord Genuity Singapore in the reverse takeover of Pteris Limited by Tian-Da CIMC, a subsidiary of CIMC, a PRC SOE listed on HKSE in a transaction valued at S$90 million.
  • Advised Lantrovision (S) Ltd, a company listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, in connection with its approximately US$127 million privatisation. The deal is being structured by way of a scheme of arrangement, in line with a cash offer by MIRAIT Singapore Pte. Ltd., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MIRAIT Holdings Corporation, a company listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • Advising offeree, Viz Branz Limited, a beverage and good company in the mandatory unconditional offer of approximately S$300 million by Credit Suisse for and on behalf of the offeror.
  • Acted for THB Auto Electronics, based in Henan, China, in relation to the voluntary cash offer of S$216 million for China Auto Electronics Group Ltd.
  • Acted for a consortium led by the management of Cityneon Holdings Ltd in the acquisition of a 52.51% stake in Cityneon for S$115.61 million from Star Media Group, one of the largest publication and printing companies in Malaysia and the consequential mandatory offer for the remaining shares of Cityneon.
  • Acted for Weiye Holdings Limited, a real estate developer from Henan, China, in the proposed conditional cash exit offer for a total consideration of approximately S$127.5 million; and the proposed voluntary delisting of Weiye Holdings from the SGX Mainboard.
  • Acted for Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd in a transaction valued above S$100 million, one of the largest global ophthalmology companies, in its pre-conditional mandatory offer for ISEC Healthcare Ltd.
  • Acted for the vendors of Resource Holdings Ltd including SGX-listed Jasper Holdings in the sale of Resource Holdings to the Keller Group, a UK listed group for a consideration of S$70.5 million.
  • Acting for Communication Design International Ltd in respect of its acquisition of two companies by way of their equity interests in two Japanese good kaishi entities in Japan in the form of a tokumei kumaiai for approximately S$71.8 million.
  • Advising Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH), in its entry into the healthcare sector with the acquisition, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Invest Healthcare Pte Ltd, of all the shares and intellectual property of Orange Valley Healthcare Pte Ltd for a total consideration of approximately S$164 million.
  • Acted as Singapore counsel, in a firm's US$130 billion restructuring exercise and merger.
Education

Studied

  • University of Virginia School of Law, LLM, Law
  • National University of Singapore, LLB, Law
  • Harvard University - Governance as Leadership Certificate
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Certificate in Fintech

Admissions

  • Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore (2003)
  • New York Attorney at Law (non-practising)
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Testimonials

Recognised as a Leading Individual in Singapore for Start-up & Venture Capital. Recommended for Corporate and M&A, and Capital Markets, Legal 500 highlighted 'Practice head Marcus Chow a trusted adviser to major clients… both throughout Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia market.' He too is rated for "the 'exceptional services'" he provides.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Ranked Distinguished Practitioner for Capital Markets. A client shared that he is 'very knowledgeable and problem solving'.

Asialaw Leading Lawyers, 2023

Recognised for Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, and Startups and Emerging Companies, Chambers describes Marcus as someone who assists both local and regional companies with a broad range of equity capital markets deals, including IPOs, reverse takeovers and share placements. He is 'an excellent partner and mentor for the IPO process' according to a source.

He too has has an active transactional law practice in Singapore, representing corporations, private equity houses and investment companies in acquisitions. Clients praise him for 'taking into account the practicalities and fulfilling the legal obligations to achieve the best outcome.'

Marcus has an impressive track record advising startups and SMEs on seed fundraising, private placements and rights issuances. A client says: 'Marcus is always preemptively looking ahead, and looking out for the company and founders. He is also responsive to all queries, no matter big or small.'

He also advises VC and corporate clients on investments into startups and growth-stage companies. A client commented 'I am impressed by his ability to intermix an excellent level of commercial sensibility with an exceptional quality of legal advice. He offers simple and sensible solutions to complex problems'.

Chambers Asia Pacific, 2023

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