Yvette Choo

The investment banking wing of Barclays Bank has also hired a director for its financial sponsors group. Both hires were formerly from Lehman Brothers.

Alex Edwards will spearhead the placement agent’s development in South Asia, New Zealand and his home country of Australia.

Garth Peterson, who headed the bank’s real estate investing business in China, was promoted to managing director in 2007.

Five institutions will reportedly sponsor almost half of the fund, at least 30 percent of which is to be invested in the Hainan province.

The investment in The Cerebrum was made through the IL&FS Milestone Fund I, a partnership between IL&FS and financial services group Milestone.

The Beijing-based venture capital firm will use the fund to invest in China-based IT companies.

The buyout firm’s Tokyo office is left under the steerage of Alex Emery following Tomoya Shiraishi’s departure to 'pursue personal interests'.

Leigh Clifford will advise the global buyout firm’s operations in Australia. His 37 years in the mining sector is expected to benefit the firm’s two Australian investments, especially mining company BIS industries.

Richard Li and China Netcom, two of the telecom company's largest shareholders, have upped their offer from HK$4.20 to HK$4.50 per share, in a bid to win over minority shareholders.

The buyout group has acquired around 25 percent of Hyderabad-based NSL Seeds.