33 Asian Legal Business | September 2024 driven legal solutions. We maintain close contact with external law firms, regulators, compliance and business colleagues, recognising that each interaction with these partners presents a valuable learning opportunity, enabling our team to enhance our capabilities to effectively address complex legal issues,” she explains. “I also like to keep my team involved, interested and inspired at all times by offering each lawyer in my team diverse assignments and exposure to different types of projects. This approach ensures my team remains engaged and motivated to excel in their roles, thereby contributing to the overall success of the business,” Sit adds. Pham also adds that continuous learning and building sector-specific expertise is the crucial step in building an effective legal team. “In B.Grimm Power’s legal department, we prioritise ongoing training to keep the team updated on the latest legal developments and industry changes. We also stay informed about industry trends in renewable energy, particularly legal updates to ensure our legal strategies align with sector innovations and regulatory changes,” Pham says. “Enhancing expertise is a priority, with ongoing professional development and specialised training in renewable energy regulations to build deeper legal knowledge. My next year plan is to allocate to each member of our legal department a sector that this member would focus on,” she adds. Besides strategic alignment with business goals, upskilling and building a culture of learning, adopting technological advancements and cross-collaboration culture are also key to building a well-oiled legal unit, says Samuel. “Embracing legal technology will be a priority. Implementing advanced tools for contract management, artificial intelligence, compliance and legal research will enhance our efficiency and accuracy. This will enable us to streamline processes, reduce costs and stay ahead of industry trends,” Samuel says. “Building strong partnerships within the company will be essential. By fostering open communication and collaboration between the legal team and other business units, we will enhance our ability to provide practical, business-oriented solutions that support overall company objectives,” he adds. Overall, the big trend common among all top GCs is the innate need to stay proactive and not just reactive, in alignment with business needs. “The legal function will continue to evolve and grow together with the business but on top of that, we strive to not only follow what the business may require, but to get ahead and enable future business development,” Au says. “Keeping ourselves very close to the latest business strategy and initiatives helps us visualise what the business may need in the future from the legal, regulatory and compliance perspectives, so that we can prepare ahead and come up with plans to enable future development in the most effective and efficient way,” he adds. Asia Top 15 GCs 2024 Alex Au Director – General Counsel (Corporate & Investment), Link Asset Management Limited www.linkreit.com Alex Au, a seasoned legal professional, currently serves as director - general counsel (corporate and investment) at Link Asset Management Limited, manager of Link REIT. Leading a team of five, Au has been instrumental in shaping Link’s legal and regulatory strategy since establishing the department in 2019. Au’s expertise lies in navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes, particularly within the real estate and investment sectors. His contributions to Link have been significant, focusing on driving strategic growth and diversification. A prime example is his leadership in Link’s inaugural investment in Singapore in 2023, a landmark deal valued at $1.63 billion. This transaction, recognised as the largest real estate deal in Southeast Asia in 2022, involved intricate regulatory and deal-related matters that Au successfully addressed. Beyond this, Au has been instrumental in developing Link’s strategic initiative which aimed at expanding Link’s business into third-party capital management. His efforts have led to significant regulatory breakthroughs, enabling Link to offer fund management and other joint venture arrangements. Au’s in-depth knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks, combined with his strategic thinking, has been crucial in driving Link’s innovation and growth. In addition to his work on strategic initiatives, Au has led Link in several high-profile acquisitions in recent years, including the abovementioned Singapore transaction as well as the acquisition of the Shanghai Qibao Vanke Mall in 2024. His ability to manage complex transactions and navigate challenging regulatory environments has consistently demonstrated his value to Link. Au’s contributions have not only strengthened Link’s legal and regulatory position but have also played a vital role in solidifying its reputation as a leading player in the real estate and investment industry. GC Profile
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