The global investment bank has appointed the former Barclays and JP Morgan banker as a managing director in its financial sponsors group.

Effie Vasilopoulos, formerly at Sidley Austin, will lead Broadfield's Apac operations as the newly created firm looks to build out the team quickly to cover the region across funds, private equity and corporate advisory.

Slowing loans, M&A and ECM hit banks' fees last year. Technology, exports and bonds are bright spots, while Hong Kong is increasingly being seen as a place to raise foreign capital. PBOC's governor Pan Gongsheng wants a proactive policy approach.

Entries are now open for the 29th edition of the FinanceAsia Awards which celebrate the best banks, brokers, consultants, rating agencies, law firms and other financial institutions across the region.

The Singapore-based private equity and M&A expert joins the law firm from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, while Xiaoxi Lin joins from Linklaters in Hong Kong.

FA will have a limited news service over the Christmas and New Year weeks.

Thomas Kollar to lead Mayer Brown Hong Kong as 120 lawyers join Johnson Stokes & Master.

Anglo American has agreed to sell its Australian based steelmaking coal business to US firm Peabody Energy for around $3.8bn.

Read on to find out the winners of our House Awards – Middle East.

Helen Wang joins the international law firm from Mayer Brown and will focus on the formation, maintenance and restructuring of investment funds, including private equity funds, hedge funds and hybrid funds.