Rick Wei has over 15 years of experience in cross-border financing transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He regularly advises private equity sponsors, international banks, private credit funds, conglomerates and corporates on financing solutions across the capital structure, including acquisition and leveraged finance, fund finance, real estate finance, project finance, margin finance, back-leverage and other corporate finance transactions.
Rick is named a "Rising Star" in Banking by IFLR1000 (2023) and listed as a key lawyer by Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2023).
Prior to joining KWM, Rick worked in leading US and international law firms, as well as an international bank.
Rick holds a double degree in LL.B and Commerce (double major in Finance and Accounting) from the University of Sydney, and a Master’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Rick is qualified in Hong Kong and Australia. He speaks native English and Mandarin.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS*
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., acting through its Hong Kong Branch as sole arranger and underwriter on the financing for an EQT-led public-to-private offer for Keywords Studios Plc, a London-listed global provider of fully integrated creative and technology-enabled solutions, at approximately £2.1 billion on a fully diluted basis.
- Primavera Capital Group on financing related to its US$2.2 billion acquisition of the Greater China business of the Mead Johnson Nutrition company.
- KKR on the unitranche loan related to its US$625 million acquisition of controlling stake in Vini Cosmetics, a leading branded person care and beauty products company in India. Honored in 2021 “Deals of the Year” by India Business Law Journal.
- Blackstone on financing related to its US$6.3 billion acquisition of Crown Resorts Limited, Australia’s leading casino and gaming company.
- Blackstone in multiple real estate financings, including its US$1.1 billion acquisition of the Greater Bay Area’s largest urban logistics park from R&F Group.
- Baring Private Equity Asia on the US$540 million leveraged financing for acquiring HCP Packaging, a leading designer and manufacturer of primary packaging containers for the cosmetics, skincare and fragrance industries based in China.
- MBK Partners and a consortium including The Crawford Group and Ctrip in the US$1.75 billion privatization of eHi Car Services (the second largest car rental company in China), which was named 2019 M&A Deal of the Year at ALB Hong Kong Law Awards.
- HNA Group on the US$3b margin loan to fund its acquisition of a US$6.5 billion stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings from The Blackstone Group. This deal was awarded “Global Finance Deal of the Year: Acquisition Finance” by The American Lawyer.
- China Minsheng Bank, China Development Bank and China CITIC International on a US$650 million to Brightoil for the purpose of funding its US$1.1 billion acquisition of Anadarko’s China unit – Kerr-McGee.
- ICBC International on a pre-IPO bridge finance to a Chinese property company and subsequently on the borrower’s issuance of high yield bond.
- Sinopec on the US$3 billion syndicated loan facility with a club of banks led by HSBC.
* Deals prior to joining KWM.
