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Clare Pearson

International Development Director, Asia
Shanghai
About

Clare Pearson established the China Charity Practice of DLA Piper China in Beijing in 2004. As solicitor (England and Wales) she joined DLA Piper London in 1999. She advises companies, banks, corporate foundations, family offices, social enterprises and non-profits on their strategy in China and Chinese Foundations on their globalization process. With a focus on ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Clare advises education, professional membership, environmental and healthcare clients on how to deliver projects across China.

Clare has been working with NGO's and ESG corporate clients in China since 1997. In 2003, Clare attended the launch of Youth Business China in Beijing and the British Council/Shanghai Bar Young Lawyer's forum in Shanghai. Since then her expertise in the field has grown and today she provides comprehensive advice to NGO's in China in the fields of Government relations, structure and finance.

Clare's unique and long-term working relationship with the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Beijing enables her to understand government policies and execute projects out of the reach of most corporate foundations. As well as helping clients to set up their legal structure, she can help them to find joint-venture partners across China. She is the co-founder in 2009 of a Sino-foreign education joint venture project providing cultural exchange programs for 100 teachers per year between nine western provinces in China and international schools in Beijing and Shanghai.

The second key area of Clare's work is advising clients on how to put ESG principles at the core of their strategy. In 2007 Clare was one of the co-founder of Beijing Ethics Network, a group of C-suite managers in Beijing, which meets every six weeks to discuss issues related to the ethical management of their companies in China. Meeting under Non-Disclosure Agreement the group has enabled companies to resolve issues specific to the region.

As a result of her work in China, Clare has been appointed as the Honoree Editor of China's leading civil society magazine, Charitarian. The magazine reports on Government, Corporate and Individual social responsibility in China. In conjunction with DLA Piper, Charitarian and the British Embassy in Beijing, Clare organised the first forum on the UN Ruggie Principles in China (Business ethics).

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Clients:

  • Marriott (DC)
  • JP Morgan (HK)
  • Creative Associates (DC)
  • Aspen Institute (DC)
  • Ellen Macarthur Foundation
  • The Prince’s Foundation
  • BMW Foundation, Berlin
  • WISE (Disability) Employment (Aus)
  • Save the Children
  • China Britain Business Council
  • Voluntary Services Overseas
  • Royal Institute of British Architects

Client work:

  • Establishing the first Special Needs/Autism Center in Dali Yunnan with a US Bank, Singapore Family Foundation, China Disabled Foundation and Dali University (2020 in process).
  • Setting up Prince’s Charities in Beijing 2007 and Duke of Edinburgh International Award in 2017 in Beijing.
  • Establishing school for the CEO of a US Bank, 2006, Shaanxi.
  • Tech counselling strategies for Cisco and Red Cross following the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.
  • Advising Client Earth, Earthwatch, Carbon Disclosure Project and Ellen Macarthur Foundation on their establishment in China.
  • Arranging international funding structure in Hong Kong and Australian joint-venture partner for China Children and Teenagers’ Fund 2004/5 – Hong Kong and Beijing.
  • Advising on the first international school in Hainan, China.
  • Advising China Britain Business Council, Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants and The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators on set up and structure in China.
  • Advising Aspen Institute (DC think-tank) and Marriott Foundation on their structure in China (2016-20).
  • Ongoing advice for global banks and family offices on projects, partners and structures for education and healthcare projects across rural China.
Education
  • The College of Law, London, LPC, 1998
  • City University, London, Law, 1997
  • University of York, BSc Economics, 1993

Insight Overview

Clare Pearson is a well-known speaker around the world on corporate responsibility in China. Speaking appointments include the Economist Conference in Beijing, Baden Baden (support to Wang Liwei) in Germany, BMW Young Leaders' Forum (Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Shanghai), the Marbury Institute, New York (support to Wang Liwei), the King of Kuwait's Palace, the British, European and American Chambers of Commerce (Shanghai and Beijing), Renmin University and China Europe International Business School.

As a result of her work in China, Clare has been appointed as the honoree editor of China's leading civil society magazine Charitarian. The magazine reports on government, corporate and individual social responsibility in China. In conjunction with DLA Piper, Charitarian and the British Embassy in Beijing, Clare organised the first forum on the UN Ruggie Principles in China (Business ethics).

Publications

  • FT China on Brexit impact on Bilateral Relations
  • CNBC on China/UK relations post-Brexit
  • UBS Report on Philanthropy in Asia
  • Advisor to Chinese Government on impact of new NGO Law
  • Frequent commentator on CGTN

Seminars

Clare Pearson is a well-known speaker on the development of civil society in China. Speaking appointments include the Economist Conference in Beijing, Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners’ Global Forum in Singapore, Baden in Germany, BMW Young Leaders' Forum (Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Shanghai), the Marbury Institute, New York (support to Wang Liwei), the King of Kuwait's Palace, the British, European and American Chambers of Commerce (Shanghai and Beijing), Renmin University and China Europe International Business School.

Prior Experience

  • 2015-17 - Chair, British Chamber of Commerce
  • 2015-17 - Vice-Chair, China Britain Business Council

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Chair, China Britain Belt and Road Chamber of Commerce
  • Chair of China Development Foundation (Education, non-profit)

Connect

Phone

+862138522071
(Work, Shanghai)
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