Dechert taps Singapore wealth fund for its newest London PE partner

Dechert has brought on Jarlath Pratt as a private equity and infrastructure partner in London, joining from Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, where he was a managing director and assistant general counsel. 

The move brings experience from one of the world’s most significant pools of institutional capital. GIC manages Singapore’s reserves and is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds globally, estimated to manage north of US$900 billion. Pratt was responsible for legal oversight of GIC’s European and African investments, and oversaw some of the most complex deals including the £4.4 billion Spectris take-private last summer.

Pratt joins Dechert’s corporate and securities practice, advising on private capital, infrastructure and M&A transactions. His move was initially announced last summer amid a series of departures from the firm. 

Capital wave

Infrastructure is a red hot area for law firms chasing the wave of capital flowing into European infrastructure, triggering a hiring boom across City firms. Much of that momentum is being driven by sovereign wealth funds and pension capital seeking stable, long-term infrastructure assets.

London bench

The hire adds weight to Dechert’s London private capital offering, following two partner hires last year - Nick Tomlinson and Joseph Dennis. The firm also saw some notable departures last year, however, including its co-head of private equity Chris Field to DLA Piper and three senior private capital-focused partners to Mayer Brown.

What they said

Dechert co-chair Mark Thierfelder said: "I have respected and admired Jarlath for many years. His extensive experience and proven success align perfectly with our goal of attracting top-tier talent and expanding our global private capital capabilities as we help business leaders lead."

Co-chair of Dechert’s corporate and securities practice, Jay Alicandri said: "His deep understanding of the private equity and infrastructure landscapes, coupled with his strong client relationships, make him a perfect addition, accelerating the momentum of our growth in London and globally."

Joiner Pratt said: "The firm’s dedication to excellence and its strategic presence in the world’s major financial centres provide a great platform to drive growth and innovation for our clients in an increasingly complex market."