TPG, a global alternative asset firm, has named Sanghoon Lee as a partner at the firm. Lee will be responsible for leading TPG Capital Asia’s investment activities in South Korea, further expanding the firm’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Many years of investing in Asia have reinforced my conviction in the investment opportunity in the region,” says Jon Winkelried, Co-CEO of TPG. “Continuing to build our business across Asia is an important priority for TPG and I believe South Korea offers an exciting and dynamic opportunity for our firm.”
In 1994, TPG made its first investment in Asia and opened its first office to lead private equity investments in the region. Since that time, TPG has invested $8.1 billion in 69 investments across 12 countries through varied local and regional economic cycles. The firm’s investments in South Korea include Korea First Bank and Hanaro Telecom. At the firm, Lee will assist in sourcing and managing new private equity investments for TPG Capital Asia in South Korea.
“We see Korea, in particular, as a country poised for growth with untapped opportunities across multiple industries. TPG’s deep knowledge across sectors, together with Sanghoon’s track record as a leading investor in the country, makes for an exciting combination as we look to source and identify investment opportunities in this dynamic and economically impactful market,” says Tim Dattels, managing partner of TPG Capital Asi.a
The addition of Lee builds on a series of key leadership appointments made in 2016 by TPG as the firm continues to strengthen its presence and position itself for the next era of investment in Asia. These include Jin-Yong Cai, Jia Dong, Daniel Hu, JinPing Sun, and Joel Thickins, who will formally join TPG in October as Country Head of Australia.
Lee brings to TPG more than 15 years of investment and banking experience in the Korea market, having most recently served as managing director and head of Korea for Morgan Stanley Private Equity. Lee joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 and oversaw the group's private equity transactions in South Korea. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Lee was with Merrill Lynch, where he led the company’s M&A and Capital Market transactions in South Korea. Lee is a native of South Korea and received a BA and an MS from Korea University and a MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.
