Andrew Blacoe to lead Asia Corporate practice at Herbert Smith Freehills

Andrew Blacoe has been appointed to lead Herbert Smith Freehills' Corporate practice in Asia, effective 1 September 2023.

"Our Asia clients remain active and ambitious, especially in our priority areas of private capital, energy transition and tech," said Carolyn Pugsley, Co-Global Managing Partner, Corporate.

"Andrew has the cross-border deal experience to oversee our growth in investment corridors critical to our clients, particularly those between Asia and Australia, Europe, the UK and the Middle East."

Andrew succeeds Graeme Preston, who begins his appointment as Asia Managing Partner on 1 September.

"This is an exciting appointment at a pivotal time for our Corporate practice in Asia," said Graeme. "As clients respond to new technologies, partnerships and market complexity, Andrew has the experience to ensure that our ongoing investment in people and practice skills matches that client demand."

ABOUT ANDREW

Andrew has lived in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 18 years. He has led the firm's Energy, Infrastructure and Mining team in Tokyo since 2013, following his promotion to partner in 2012. He is also the Tokyo Managing Partner, a role that he will continue to hold concurrently with this new appointment.

He is one of the few partners to have worked in both of Herbert Smith Freehills' legacy firms in London, Tokyo and Sydney.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Durham, Andrew joined the firm in 2005. He is licensed to advise in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi, and is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.