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Chambers and Partners Research Yields Multiple Global Honors for J.S. Held and Experts

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JERICHO, N.Y., June 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global consulting firm J.S. Held, proudly celebrating 50 transformative years, announces the recognition of multiple experts and firmwide expertise in Chambers and Partners’ Annual Guides: Crisis & Risk Management and Litigation Support firms.

The J.S. Held Global Investigations team is once again recognized for expertise in Political Risk, Investigative Due Diligence, and Asset Tracing & Recovery. New for 2024, the Global Investigations team, in concert with the Environmental Health & Safety team, is recognized among the leading global Environmental, Social & Governance Risk experts. Further, the Global Investigations experts in the United Kingdom and the Asia Pacific are recognized in Business Intelligence & Investigations.

J.S. Held is proud to share the recognition of the team expertise and individual experts who received top Chambers and Partners rankings in the areas of:

Asset Tracing & Recovery – Global | Band 1

Peter Pender-Cudlip, Global Investigations & Intelligence Expert and Senior Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. Peter advises clients on commercial and sovereign asset tracing, complex fraud investigations, and a wide range of cross-border litigation and arbitration matters.

“[Peter]… understands what is important for blue-chip clients and is able to get useful and usable information with his team. Peter is great to deal with, and he gets results.”

Ashley Messick, Global Asset Tracing & Recovery Expert and Senior Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. Ashley leads J.S. Held’s Sovereign Debt Advisory and has extensive experience advising on sovereign and commercial disputes, asset recovery, and enforcement. She has led high-profile investigations involving debtors originating from Africa, Latin America, and Russia/Central Asia. She has tracked down assets and gathered intelligence in some of the world’s most difficult frontier markets, including West and Central Africa, the Middle East, and Russia.

Ashley Messick has an amazing set of contacts, she’s results-oriented … extremely creative and subtle about looking for assets. She’s … thoughtful about developing strategies that fit with enforcement and … able to co-ordinate teams from across the globe.”

Political Risk – Global | Band 1

Livia Paggi, Political Risk, ESG, and Business Intelligence Expert and Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. She advises multinational clients on doing business successfully in some of the world’s most challenging markets. Over the past decade, Livia has developed expertise in Russia and the wider Eurasia region.

“I worked with Livia and she is brilliant. She is dynamic and responsive.”

Philip Worman, Global Political Risk, Business Intelligence, and Investigations Expert and Senior Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. Philip advises clients on doing business in emerging and frontier markets and has particular expertise in sanctions policy and risk mitigation.

Philip Worman is outstanding in all respects; [he] has on-the-ground experience and has a real international coverage.”

Investigative Due Diligence – Global | Band 3

Chambers and Partners recognizes J.S. Held’s expertise in this category and observes, “J.S. Held provides clients with investigative due diligence alongside its extensive litigation support, asset tracing and recovery, and political risk practices. Its clients consist of sovereign entities, corporations, financial institutions, pension funds, private equity and hedge funds, legal firms, and high net worth individuals.”

Environmental, Social & Governance – Global | Band 3

Chambers, in recognizing J.S. Held’s expertise in this category, shares, “J.S. Held advises multinational companies on ESG issues around the world, using both its political risk expertise and its investigations and due diligence practice to assist with providing advice on ESG-related risks and disclosure obligations. J.S. Held recently acquired boutique consultancy Africa Matters, further strengthening its capabilities on ESG work in Africa.”

Business Intelligence & Investigations – Asia Pacific | Band 2

Bruno Vickers, Global Investigations & Business Intelligence Expert and Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. Bruno has expertise in locating and recovering assets on cross-border disputes. He has acted for clients in many significant legal proceedings over the last decade, including those heard in local courts as well as in international arbitration centers such as London, Geneva, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

“Bruno is very impressive … he runs a good outfit and clients really like him.”

Business Intelligence & Investigations – United Kingdom | Band 3

Sebastian Neave, Global Investigations & Business Intelligence Expert and Managing Director within the J.S. Held Global Investigations practice. Sebastian advises clients on complex disputes, cross-border litigation, and arbitration claims. Sebastian has developed specific expertise in disputes related to Russia and the CIS, working on high-profile matters emanating from the region. He has extensive experience gathering evidence to support recovery strategies against a diverse collection of states and state-owned commercial parties.

“Sebastian is outstanding… borders do not seem to exist for him.”

Equally important to the overall and individual expert rankings is the specific feedback from clients and peers acknowledging the work of J.S. Held:

“J.S. Held has an incredible ability to adapt their research and work product to the specifics of their respective clients across numerous industries.”

“These guys are top notch, without a doubt.”

“They have a very experienced team across various fields of expertise and jurisdictions.”

“The team is incredibly competent and responsive.”

“J.S. Held’s research, entrepreneurship, and responsiveness make them stand out.”

“Among other asset tracers, their work was by far the most comprehensive and specific.”

“…intelligence work is what they do, clients love them, and in the end, they find the gold.”

“They understand complex and sensitive matters and have the expertise to handle it efficiently.”

“J.S. Held [experts] are professional, responsive, and have an ability to get information which is unrivalled. They provide us with sometimes 24-hour support.”

“I would highly commend their capacity to tackle complex matters with finesse and expertise.”

Commenting on J.S. Held expert recognitions by Chambers and Partners, Greg Esslinger, Executive Vice President and Global Investigations Practice Lead, shares, “Global Investigations at J.S. Held is home to strategic innovators, integrated collaborators, and recognized thought leaders who have created the next-generation investigations practice together—a multidisciplinary team with global reach and strong cultural competence.” Esslinger adds, “The real added value of J.S. Held investigation work is the ability to use human sources to fill information gaps, corroborate data, and generate new leads. As a firm, we have a wealth of experience identifying and approaching specific sources with direct knowledge of a sovereign, company, or individual’s assets to develop actionable intelligence. “

The global forensics team utilizes best-of-breed technology to support complex data challenges. Experts leverage multiple technology partners with a clear view to appropriate integration of GenAI and related tools. Application includes data collection, managing disparate data sources, translation of foreign language documents, and processing information from emerging off-channel communications and collaboration tools. The result: J.S. Held’s clients can focus on strategy and know that technology is on their side.

Learn more about the dedicated and entrepreneurial experts who help transform J.S. Held, explore our story, and celebrate this momentous milestone, our 50 & Forward celebration, with us at jsheld.com.

About J.S. Held

J.S. Held  is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.

More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.

J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.

Media Contact: 

Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786 833 4864 | Kristi.Stathis@jsheld.com

 

SOURCE J.S. Held

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JA Solar Summit Highlights Shift Toward Solar-Storage Integration as Global Demand Holds Firm

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BEIJING, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 5th Global Solar and Energy Storage Summit 2026, hosted online by JA Solar, brought together over 20+ senior representatives from leading international organizations and industry players to share insights on the accelerating energy transition. The summit featured keynote speeches and panel discussions with influential voices from the IRENA, S&P Global, BloombergNEF, SolarPower Europe, TÜV NORD, as well as prominent utilities, developers, investors, and technology companies worldwide. With a global audience exceeding 20,000 participants from 30+ countries, the event highlighted the growing integration of solar and energy storage as central to a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future.

Record-Breaking Renewable Deployment in 2025

IRENA’s Ilina Stefanova opened the summit by underscoring the scale and urgency of the global energy transition. “2025 marked a record year for renewable energy, with 692 GW of new capacity deployed globally, and solar contributing 75% of the total,” she said. However, she emphasized the need for stronger policy and investment frameworks to sustain this momentum and meet 2030 climate targets.

S&P Global’s Holly Hu followed with the latest market outlook, noting that global solar installations reached 617 GW in 2025, driven by robust activity in China, Europe, and North America. While she acknowledged potential growth moderation in 2026, Hu emphasized an industry shift from scale-dominated competition to smarter, more value-driven strategies.

Solar + Storage + X: The Future of Energy Solutions

Dr. Zi Ouyang, President of Product and Solution R&D Centre and CTO of JA Solar, delivered a keynote on how integrated solutions are shaping the next phase of clean energy deployment. He introduced “Solar + Storage + X” as the industry’s path forward, where combined technologies create new opportunities across utility-scale, commercial, and residential markets.

“The future of energy lies in integration,” said Dr. Ouyang. “Standalone solar PV systems are no longer sufficient to meet today’s increasingly complex demands. By integrating storage and advanced solutions, we can unlock significant value and provide the flexibility necessary for tomorrow’s global energy systems.” He also highlighted JA Solar’s expertise in enabling scenario-specific solutions, including AI-powered data centers, industrial parks, and remote microgrids.

Driving Value Creation Across Global Markets

Two panel discussions explored the changing dynamics of solar and storage integration.

The first, “Global Perspectives: New Value Drivers and Growth Opportunities,” discussed the industry’s pivot toward value-based development. Panelists emphasized how system efficiency, long-term performance, and financial optimization are replacing cost as priorities, with integrated solutions emerging as critical to capturing project value and market flexibility.

The second panel, “Energy Transformation Across Every Scenario: From Deserts to Cities,” explored the application of solar and storage in emerging sectors such as AI Data Centers (AIDC), mining, modern agriculture, and transportation infrastructure. Panelists highlighted innovations addressing diverse energy demands while tackling challenges like system resilience in extreme environments, from remote deserts to urban microgrids.

JA Solar’s Global Leadership in Integrated Energy Growth

The summit reflected the industry’s transition into a transformative phase defined by integration, intelligence, and scenario diversity. As the event organizer and a leading global innovator in solar technology, JA Solar reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the adoption of high-performance, sustainable energy solutions.

“At JA Solar, we believe collaboration and innovation are fundamental to building a sustainable energy future,” said Dr. Zi Ouyang. “Through advanced technologies and strong partnerships, we aim to deliver scalable, resilient solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ja-solar-summit-highlights-shift-toward-solar-storage-integration-as-global-demand-holds-firm-302747979.html

SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

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Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

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SINGAPORE, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates (“Dezan Shira”), a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

This strategic move significantly expands Ascentium’s reach and capabilities across Asia, the United States, and Europe, enabling the group to guide businesses from pre-investment market assessment through long-term operations, while further deepening its advisory expertise for international businesses operating across these regions.

Expanding cross-border capabilities

With this acquisition, Ascentium now operates in 27 markets, including new locations such as Mongolia, Poland, Germany and Italy, thereby enhancing its ability to support clients with cross-border investments and multi-jurisdictional operations. The addition of Dezan Shira’s network complements Ascentium’s existing footprint in Southeast Asia, positioning the group as one of the most extensive on-the-ground advisory platforms supporting foreign investment in Asia.

This expansion further enables Ascentium to serve clients on the Chinese mainland more effectively, especially foreign investors seeking to enter or scale in this dynamic market.  Added to the established network of InCorp International, an Ascentium Company, the incorporation of Dezan Shira contributes three new offices in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Zhongshan, extending Ascentium’s presence across the Chinese mainland to 15 locations.

With a network spanning major commercial hubs including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Tianjin, Ascentium delivers clear answers and hands-on support to help businesses navigate regulatory complexity and build a strong, compliant presence with confidence.

Deepening advisory and intelligence capabilities

Dezan Shira brings over three decades of experience advising foreign investors in Asia, with recognised strengths in regulatory analysis, business intelligence, investment structuring, tax advisory and technology-enabled solutions. These capabilities complement Ascentium’s established services in incorporation, multi-country HR and payroll, ESG and tax advisory, and fiduciary – creating an integrated platform that supports clients from market entry through long-term growth. 

Multinational enterprises, regional headquarters, and growth-oriented businesses will benefit from greater scale, deeper regulatory expertise, and a unified service platform designed to navigate complex cross-border business environments.

Asia Briefing: Business intelligence and market insights platform

The acquisition also brings Asia Briefing, Dezan Shira’s business intelligence and research arm, into Ascentium’s ecosystem. Through its Doing Business guides, digital publications, and daily regulatory analysis, Asia Briefing is the leading source for insights on market entry, compliance, regulatory developments, and business news across Asia.

The Asia Briefing platform strengthens the combined group’s ability to pair on-the-ground advisory services with timely, region-wide intelligence to support informed decision-making.

Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, said, “Joining Ascentium marks an exciting new chapter for Dezan Shira & Associates. By combining our expertise with Ascentium’s global platform and execution capabilities, we can deliver even greater value to clients looking to expand and succeed in multiple markets.”

Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, added, “This acquisition brings us closer to a fully connected advisory platform across Asia and beyond. With Ascentium’s execution strength and Dezan Shira’s market intelligence and regulatory expertise, we can guide businesses through every stage of expansion, from pre-investment assessment through sustained operations, whether they are entering one new market or scaling across multiple jurisdictions.”

About Ascentium

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we drive extraordinary growth through expert people, purpose-led technology, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

With over 2,600 professionals across 46 cities in 23 markets globally, we deliver integrated solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, fund administration, human resources, and fiduciary and trust services. Serving more than 63,000 client entities across diverse industries, Ascentium combines specialised expertise with innovative, technology-enabled solutions to help clients navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

For more information, visit: ascentium.com

About Dezan Shira & Associates

Founded in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is a professional services firm advising foreign investors and multinational enterprises entering and operating across Asia.

The firm provides business intelligence and market entry, corporate establishment and licensing, accounting, tax advisory, payroll and HR administration, internal audit and risk advisory, as well as technology-enabled financial software and ERP solutions.

With more than 300 professionals operating from 27 offices globally, Dezan Shira & Associates maintains one of the region’s most extensive integrated advisory platforms dedicated to foreign direct investment and cross-border operations.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ascentium-acquires-dezan-shira–associates-expanding-its-footprint-to-27-markets-and-strengthening-corporate-services-capabilities-302747338.html

SOURCE Ascentium

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Thunes Launches Real-Time Payments into New Zealand

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Members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network can now send real-time payments to bank accounts in New Zealand, further strengthening the company’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

BANGKOK, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today announced the expansion of its Direct Global Network with the launch of direct, real-time Pay-to-Bank services into New Zealand.

This expansion enhances Thunes’ cross-border payment capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, providing Members of the Thunes Direct Global Network with faster and more transparent payment solutions for both consumer and business transactions. With this launch, users can easily transfer NZD directly to New Zealand bank accounts. Transactions can be made either through a direct API integration to Thunes or by leveraging existing Swift connectivity.

New Zealand is increasingly focused on upgrading its financial infrastructure to support real-time digital trade and the burgeoning gig economy. As the nation transitions to a next-generation payments ecosystem, real-time transactions are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 21.3% through 2027.

Eugene Chua, Head of Network, APAC, at Thunes, said: “At Thunes, we’re dismantling the legacy friction that creates barriers to the global digital economy. Asia Pacific is where the Thunes story began, so we are especially pleased to be strengthening our reach in a high-growth market like New Zealand. Geography should never hinder ambition, and we are proud to be the engine driving financial connectivity, providing the infrastructure that supports and empowers businesses and individuals to benefit from international money movement and participate more fully in the global economy.”

With this expansion, Thunes reinforces its position as a leading provider of real-time cross-border payments. Its Direct Global Network leverages Thunes’ in-house SmartX Treasury System for AI-driven forecasting and real-time liquidity management, and its Fortress Compliance Platform, which benefits from over 50 licences worldwide. This ensures every payment is executed with the highest levels of security, compliance, and operational efficiency.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Thunes will be attending Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok from April 21-23, 2026, located at booth 6005. Schedule a meeting here.

For more information about Thunes, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2831061/5891541/Thunes_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thunes-launches-real-time-payments-into-new-zealand-302746205.html

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