Brian Ho
Overview
He has a deep understanding of every element of the regulations and provides us with pragmatic advice in our highly complex transactions.” “With Brian’s working experience and relationships with SFC, his advice on takeovers code and SFO has been outstanding.” - Chambers Greater China, 2025
Brian Ho is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Kirkland & Ellis.
Brian counsels the Firm’s private equity and corporate clients on novel and complex transactions, including Hong Kong public takeovers and capital markets transactions.
Prior to joining Kirkland, Brian served as the Executive Director – Corporate Finance of The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC”). Brian has an exemplary record of dedication to public service and commitment to the highest regulatory standards during his time at the SFC, where he led the Corporate Finance Division and was responsible for SFC’s significant Hong Kong IPO decisions including pre-IPO consultations, and oversaw takeovers and mergers regulations and listing policy matters. Furthermore, Brian was Chief Coordinator of the SFC to launch China-Hong Kong Stock Connect.
During the time when Brian was Executive Director of Corporate Finance of the SFC, he was a member of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s Listing Nominating Committee and served on the SFC’s Real Estate Investment Trusts Committee, Nominations Committee and Advisory Committee. Brian was also a Chairman of Public Shareholders Group of the SFC.
Brian has a well-earned reputation for contributing to the successful development of Hong Kong as a leading global financial center.
Brian is recognized as a leading lawyer for M&A by Chambers Greater China 2025 and a “Notable Practitioner” for M&A by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025. China Business Law Journal also selected Brian as one of the “A-List Growth Drivers.”
Experience
Representative Matters
Duality Biotherapeutics (HKEx: 9606) on its global offering and listing on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The IPO raised approximately HK$1.64 billion prior to the exercise of the over-allotment option
PAG (as the offeror) on its proposed privatization of Shandong Fengxiang (HKSE: 9977) by way of merger by absorption
NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEx: 9866; SGX: NIO) in connection with its HK$4,030.13 million offering of 136,800,000 class A ordinary shares
Skyworth Group (HKSE: 00751) on its HK$1,088.5 million share buyback by way of general offer
UBS AG, as the financial adviser to Guotai Junan, on the merger with Haitong Securities. This transaction was named “Deals of the Year 2024” by China Business Law Journal
The offeror on its proposed privatization of Vesync (HKSE: 2148)
A consortium of investors led by Starwood Capital Group, Sixth Street and SSW Partners, and which also includes QIA, Warburg Pincus, and the Founders of ESR Group (ESR), on their proposal to privatize ESR by way of scheme of arrangement from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Fangzhou Inc. (HKSE: 6086), the largest online chronic disease management platform in China in terms of average monthly active users in 2023, on the global offering and listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on July 9, 2024
Celestial Link Limited, an investment vehicle ultimately controlled by PCCW Limited (HKSE: 0008), in its HK$280 million PIPE investment as a lead investor in the de-SPAC merger of HK Acquisition Corporation (a SPAC listed in Hong Kong under the stock code 7841) and Synagistics Pte. Ltd.
Morgan Stanley, as the financial adviser to the joint offerors, An Ke Technology Company Limited and China Ping An Insurance Overseas (Holdings) Limited, each being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKSE: 2318; SSE: 601318), in the possible mandatory unconditional cash offers for all the shares, ADSs, outstanding options and performance share units of Lufax Holding Ltd (HKSE: 6623; NYSE: LU)
Super Hi International Holding Ltd. (HKSE: 9658; NASDAQ: HDL) on its initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market, making it the first high-profile company to list first in Hong Kong and then in the United States in recent years. This transaction was named “Best IPO – APAC & Hong Kong SAR” and “Most Innovative Deal - Hong Kong SAR” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024. This transaction was named “Best IPO – APAC & Hong Kong SAR” and “Most Innovative Deal - Hong Kong SAR” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024
J.P. Morgan, as financial adviser to L’Occitane Groupe S.A., in its privatisation of L’Occitane International S.A. (HKSE: 973). This transaction was named “Most Innovative Deal – APAC & Hong Kong SAR” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024 and “Deals of the Year 2024” by China Business Law Journal and “M&A Deal of the Year 2024” by IFLR
Independent Board Committee of Vinda International Holdings Limited (HKSE: 3331) in the voluntary conditional cash offer from Isola Castle Ltd. This transaction was named “Best M&A Deal - Hong Kong SAR” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024
Independent Board Committee of ENM Holdings Limited (HKSE:128) in the proposed scheme of arrangement and withdrawal of listing
iMotion Automotive Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“iMotion”) (HKSE: 1274) on the initial public offering of H shares and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As the first company specializing in autonomous driving listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, iMotion is an autonomous driving solution provider with a focus on AD domain controllers
ZX Inc. (HKSE: 9890), a leading online game products publisher in China, on its global offering and listing on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited on September 28, 2023
NIO Inc. (NIO) (NYSE: NIO; HKEx: 9866; SGX: NIO) in its offering of US$500 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2029 (2029 Notes) and US$500 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (2030 Notes). This transaction was named “Deals of the Year 2023” by China Business Law Journal and “Debt & Equity-linked Deal of the Year” by IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2024
ZG Group, a leading iron & steel e-commerce platform in China, on its business combination with Aquila Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company. This is the first de-SPAC transaction in Hong Kong since the introduction of the SPAC listing regime in Hong Kong on 1 January 2022
Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (HKSE: 6990) on its US$174 million global offering and listing on the The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on July 11, 2023. This transaction was named “Best IPO - Hong Kong SAR” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2023
Power Heritage Group as the offeror on its privatization of Jiangnan Group Limited (HKSE: 1366)
SciClone Pharmaceuticals (HKSE: 6600) on its HK$780 million voluntary conditional buy-back cash offer
Link REIT (HKSE: 823) on its acquisition of a portfolio of assets in Singapore, including retail malls Jurong Point and Thomson Plaza, at a consideration of approximately S$2.16 billion (approximately $1.6 billion). This marks Link REIT’s first real estate acquisition in Singapore. This transaction was named “Best Property Deal - Singapore” by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2023
Skyworth Group Limited (HKSE: 00751) in its HK$380 million voluntary conditional cash offer to buy-back a maximum of 100 million shares at HK$3.80 per share, representing approximately 3.87% of Skyworth Group’s total issued share capital
More
Recognition
“Leading Lawyer”, Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) – China, Chambers Global (2025)
“Notable Practitioner”, Corporate/M&A and Corporate/M&A: Private Equity, Chambers Asia-Pacific (2025)
“Leading Lawyer”, Corporate/M&A: The Elite (International Firms) – China, Chambers Greater China (2025)
“A-List Growth Drivers (International)”, China Business Law Journal (2024–2025)
“Highly Regarded”, M&A and Capital Markets: Equity, IFLR1000 (2024)
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 1988Hong KongSolicitor
Languages
- English
Education
- University of Hong KongPCLL1986
- University of Hong KongLL.B.1985