Hi everyone! As the title says, I’m hosting an AMA since I figured my experience and perspective may be useful to some and to also give back to the WSO community as I’ve found WSO to be useful and informative since before I even started uni.
My experience in Singapore include internships in venture capital and PE-adjacent spaces (PCA, LP investing) as well as IB recruiting (which we know is very much a bloodbath in Singapore and the US-focused advice that dominates this forum isn’t wholly applicable there).
I am currently working in London at a corporate development role at a PE-backed SaaS company where my role spans M&A origination and execution, strategic finance, and ad-hoc strategy projects.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from high finance in Singapore to corporate development in London offers a unique perspective. Here are some key takeaways and insights:
Singapore Finance Landscape:
Corporate Development in London:
Challenges in IB Recruiting in Singapore:
Value of Diverse Experience:
If you have specific questions about the transition, challenges, or skills required, feel free to ask!
Sources: Q&A: Investment Banking in Singapore, Q&A: Investment Banking in Singapore, Non US/Europe IB/PE Overview, Living in Asia, The future of Hong Kong high finance
Why the move from Singapore to London? Surely the quality of life/lifestyle is worse in London along with higher taxes. Genuinely curious as I've been trying to make the opposite move
I see your point on taxes (every month when the pay slip comes in) but London still has a lot of things going for it compared to Singapore, such as work life balance, proximity to nature/ open spaces plus the M&A scene is more mature and there are just more roles, whether in M&A advisory or on the buy side (corp dev, PE).
When I made the move, it was because my previous employer transferred me over and sponsored my visa. I did want a change of scenery and figured why not. 3 years later, I’ve built a life here, got a PE-backed corp dev role that I’ve been eyeing, and generally have no reason to leave.
Hey man, curious how your previous employer transferred you over? What was the process like? Am going to be an aso soon in a BB in Singapore, but thinking of working elsewhere for a change in scenery.
Hey my previous employer was a pretty small company and most of their clients were based in the US and Europe so they were asking me to move rather than the other way round. I’ve seen quite a few acquaintances from BBs move to London/ NY from Singapore at the associate level though so I imagine an internal transfer would be very possible but not sure what the process would be.
In terms of paperwork, it was pretty easy with a Singapore passport - soon as the employment contract was ready, I filed the rest of the visa paperwork, went for the biometric appointment and got my approval within a week of the appointment, then got on the one way flight a month later.
Would be helpful for other if you can be more comprehensive with your background
Where did you do your bach?
How many years of FT and in what area?
Recruiting process and background (you applied to corpdev in London while working in SG or otherwise?)
Would help winnow the question down and allow others to be more specific
You’re right - didn’t realise how much was missing but also didn’t want to dox myself so here goes
I went to NUS and studied finance, and after graduating I started a FT role at a boutique international M&A consulting/ advisory firm. Stayed there for a total of 3 years, during which I made the move from Singapore to London (internal transfer). Only started recruiting for London corp dev roles after moving to London as employers here value local London/ UK experience.
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