Masons forms alliance with Singapore practice

Masons is boosting its Asian presence by aligning itself to a Singapore firm.

The construction specialist has entered into a formal agreement with 16-partner commercial practice Cooma Lau & Loh.

The firms have already worked together on a range of construction projects in the area. A group of partners from both firms have been working on the alliance.

Masons' Singapore managing partner Vincent Rowan and worldwide managing partner Tony Bunch will now run the link-up.

Cooma Lau & Loh senior counsel Quentin Loh and partner Ravi Chelliah will also be on the management board.

Masons already has a one-partner office in Singapore, but it decided to proceed with a formal alliance with a domestic firm as the Asian economic recovery continued.

Loh says: "With regional economies recovering, there promises to be greater scope for infrastructure and project work. Clients will benefit enormously from the right mix of local and international expertise."

This is the first time Masons has entered into a formal alliance with another firm in a location where it already has an office.

Bunch says that the firm wants to increase the amount of fee-earners and move the operation closer to Cooma Lau & Loh's office.

He adds: "This tie-up has created an exciting opportunity for both firms. With combined resources and the synergies that exist in terms of work focus and expertise, it will greatly enhance our service to our clients in south-east Asia."

Cooma Lau & Loh was established in 1978 as an insurance and shipping firm. It has since developed a range of corporate and commercial practices including construction.

The firm has a number of relationships with foreign firms in the US, Europe and Asia.