Max

Max is a Vice President in the Secondaries team of the Private Equity Department. His team buys (and occasionally sells) private equity funds to supplement GIC’s broader private equity exposure, acting as a liquidity provider to private equity investors looking to sell exposure in long-dated private equity funds. He is responsible for managing deal processes as the deal “quarterback” and maintaining relationships with our counterparties across the market. 

Outside of work, Max enjoys keeping up on the news, spending quality time with his daughter, trying new recipes with his wife, having dinner with friends, and playing with his cat. 

Why did you decide to join GIC?

I learnt about the opportunity at GIC from a friend who was working in another department. I was drawn to the Secondaries team’s global focus and flexible mandate, and I was excited by the level of responsibility they entrusted to junior employees like myself. 

At the time, I viewed GIC as a major investor in Asia with limited presence elsewhere. I assumed that GIC would be bogged down by bureaucracy and slow-moving processes, making it difficult to be an active investor. However, joining GIC opened my eyes to the flexibility of our mandate and the global scope of our operations. We have a presence in every major market and geography, and I have had the privilege of learning from colleagues who are experts in their respective areas. Before joining, I did not realise how nimble and adaptable GIC was, and it has been inspiring to see the level of autonomy given to deal teams to compete effectively in local markets. 

What does your typical workday look like?

My mornings usually start with spending time with my daughter and then catching up on emails that came in overnight. On any given day, I may hop on calls with bankers, other teams at GIC, and fund managers that we collaborate with regularly. I also conduct due diligence on potential investments and create investment papers for the transactions I am involved in. 

What do you like most about working here?

What I love most about GIC is the people. The company has made a deliberate effort to cultivate a collaborative and inclusive culture worldwide, where everyone works together towards a shared goal. We hire diverse talent from across the globe, giving me the chance to learn about diverse cultures and perspectives. It has been a truly enriching experience that has broadened my horizons both personally and professionally. Moreover, GIC’s global presence offers abundant opportunities to gather market intelligence and explore new investment prospects. 

One thing that stands out to me is the level of exposure and responsibility given to junior professionals like me. We are entrusted with as much responsibility as we can handle from the get-go. This has challenged me to think independently, build a network in the market, and develop crucial skills early on in my career. Looking back, joining GIC was the best decision I could have made. 

How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?

At GIC, the best way to learn and develop is through hands-on experience. From day one, I have had the opportunity to learn essential investing skills from seasoned professionals. Additionally, GIC’s learning, and development programmes have provided me with valuable lessons on teamwork, people management, and even speed reading. As a major player in the market, GIC regularly hosts speaker series featuring high-profile investors, allowing me to expand my knowledge beyond secondaries. 

What you should know before joining GIC

If you are considering a career at GIC, my advice would be to take the time to understand our business. People at GIC are welcoming, and we are always happy to chat with potential candidates who are eager to learn more.