Ad Astra Expands Melbourne Presence

7 August 2025

Ad Astra Corporate Advisory is growing its presence in Melbourne, Australia. Ed Chan will join Ad Astra as a Partner to lead its new Melbourne office from September and broaden its sector coverage capabilities.

Managing Partner Peng Ly said the firm’s expansion in Melbourne is driven by increasing demand for independent corporate advisory expertise from Melbourne-headquartered companies and investors.

“Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s most significant private and public companies and investors, and having a permanent Melbourne presence allows us to be closer to our clients and more attuned to their needs.

We’re thrilled to have Ed join us — he brings not only deep transaction experience and sector expertise but also a shared culture of client-first advisory.”

Peng Ly, Managing Partner

Mr Chan brings more than two decades of experience in corporate advisory and principal investing, having previously worked at Citi, J.P. Morgan, Flagstaff Partners and Nash Advisory across Australia and the UK. He will focus on Melbourne-based clients as well as provide sector coverage across healthcare and financial services.

“Ad Astra embodies what I value most in corporate advisory – integrity, deep thinking and a genuine partnership model.

I’m excited to be joining a team that’s building something enduring - a firm that prioritises quality advice, trusted relationships and long-term collaboration.”

Ed Chan

Founded in 2021 following Investec’s withdrawal from the Australian market, Ad Astra has grown rapidly since its launch and built a strong reputation for advising on complex, high-stakes transactions across the corporate, private equity and government sectors.   The hiring of Mr Chan to lead the Melbourne office will enable Ad Astra to broaden its geographic and sector client coverage, as well as more effectively source talent aligned with its values.

Ad Astra has continued as an affiliate of Investec and now operates with a team of more than 20 people across Sydney and Melbourne, covering Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

For further information, please contact info@adastraca.com.au.