George Cyriac
George Cyriac has more than two decades of experience advising on complex cross-border corporate, private equity, and restructuring transactions across Asia (including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and Thailand) and in New York. He represents leading multinational and Asian companies, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and banks in transactions throughout the investment cycle, including investments, disposals, complex restructurings, and joint ventures. Highly regarded as a private equity lawyer, George acts for leading global and Asian private equity sponsors in acquisitions, divestments, restructurings, and fundraisings in Asia and New York. He leads the firm’s private equity practice in Southeast Asia.
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific notes, “George Cyriac brings a high level of quality and polish to transactions, whilst at the same time being very aware of local practical issues and challenges.” Additionally, clients note in the publication that “George is a problem-solver who also stands out due to his exceptional work ethic, always giving his best and often working into the wee hours of the morning in order to meet tight deadlines in our M&A transactions.” According to Chambers Asia Pacific, “He is highly regarded by clients and peers alike who highlight him as having ‘strong communication skills and a problem-solving approach,’ and note that he is ‘meticulous and methodical.’”
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, George worked in the Singapore and New York offices of other global law firms and in the India office of an affiliate of a US law firm.
Singapore
- Represented Keppel Corporation Ltd. in the merger of its offshore and marine business with Sembcorp Marine Ltd., a deal worth SGD 9.3 billion (approximately $6.9 billion)
- Represented Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. in the sale of certain legacy rigs and assets to an entity held by Temasek and other investors
- Represented ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund in its investment in BHS Kinetic Pte Ltd., a leading specialized logistics provider in Singapore
- Represented Standard Chartered plc in the sale of two portfolios of assets to a private equity fund in a sale process
- Represented DVB Bank SE in the sale of a portfolio of assets to a private equity fund in a sale process
- Represented Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd. (ST Aerospace) in a joint venture with Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. and Guangdong Airport Authority to operate a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Guangzhou, China
- Represented Refinitiv Ltd. in the acquisition from AlphaDesk Asia Pte. Ltd. of certain businesses and assets in Singapore
Indonesia
- Represented C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., a leading global logistics and supply chain management company listed on NASDAQ, during its Indonesian market entry and a joint venture
- Represented Creador III LLC in several transactions including (1) the restructuring of its investment and co-investment arrangements in Simba, an Indonesian snack food manufacturer, (2) the sale of its stake in Cimory, an Indonesian food manufacturer and distributor, (3) the sale of its stake in PT Nipress Tbk, an Indonesian battery manufacturer, and (4) the sale of its stake in PT Bank Index Selindo
- Represented Fullerton Health on its acquisition of a healthcare business in Indonesia
- Represented L Catterton on its investment in Zenyum, a leading dental aligners company, which included the acquisition of its business in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia
- Represented Baring Private Equity Asia Ltd. in its investment in Jakarta Eye Centre, an Indonesian company that operates eye hospitals and clinics in Indonesia
India
- Represented PineBridge Investments Asia Ltd. in several transactions, including the sale of its stake in an aerospace and automobile components company and the restructuring of its stake in a two-wheeler manufacturer and an infrastructure company
- Represented CLSA Capital Pte. Ltd.’s Clean Resources Asia Growth Fund in its investment in Earth Water Group, a water treatment and solutions company in India
- Represented Luxoft Inc., an NYSE-listed technology company, in its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Deriv IT Solutions Pte Ltd. and its subsidiaries and businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong, France, United Arab Emirates, and China
Malaysia
- Represented ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund in the sale, pursuant to a sell-side process, of its stake in Jaya Grocer, a leading grocery chain in Malaysia
- Represented AirAsia Group Berhad (AAGB), and its wholly owned subsidiary Asia Aviation Capital Ltd. (AACL), on the sale of AACL's entire equity interest in Merah Aviation Asset Holding Ltd. (Merah Aviation) to US private investment firm Castlelake LP in a deal valued at $768 million
- Represented a private equity fund on its proposed investment in a glove manufacturing company
Thailand
- Represented ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund in the sale, pursuant to a sell-side process, of its stake in Restaurants Development Co. Ltd., a franchisee of KFC Thailand
Philippines
- Represented ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund in its investment in KMC Solutions, a Philippines-based co-working and flexible workspace provider
- Represented GMR Infrastructure Ltd. in a joint venture with Megawide Construction Corporation for the development and operation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines on a build, operate, transfer (BOT) basis
Vietnam
- Represented private equity investors in various potential investments, including in a welding consumables company, a furniture exporter, and a logistics company
- Columbia University School of Law, 2004, LL.M., Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- National Law School of India University, 1998, B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)
- New York
- Singapore (Registered Foreign Lawyer)
- India (Inactive)


Recommended, Corporate and M&A: Local Firms, Singapore, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)
Recommended, Corporate and M&A: Singapore/Vietnam: India, Foreign Firms, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)
Recommended, Corporate and M&A: Singapore/Vietnam: Vietnam, Foreign Desks, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)
International A-List, Business Law Journal (2020–2022)
Member, Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association
