In a recent announcement, UK‑based law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper has launched its first private‑wealth practice outside of the United Kingdom in Singapore, appointing Rachel Yao as Partner and Head of Asian Private Wealth, based in the Singapore office.

Rachel Yao advises ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals, entrepreneurs, internationally mobile families, family offices, trustees and private banks on cross‑border wealth structuring, global tax planning, family business succession, trust establishment and restructuring, estate planning and family governance. Her client base comprises prominent entrepreneurial families and business owners across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Yao is qualified in England and Wales, China, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. She is also a Registered Lawyer in Bermuda and a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Singapore.

Prior to joining Penningtons Manches Cooper, Yao served as Head of Asian Trusts and Private Wealth at Carey Olsen. Earlier in her career, she spent multiple years at Taylor Wessing’s Shanghai and London offices, where she led the firm’s international private‑wealth practice for Greater China.