Unicapital, Inc., one of the country’s leading independent investment houses, announces the appointment of Karen Singson as its new Managing Director. Singson brings over two decades of distinguished experience spanning global finance, government service, and financial technology, a combination of expertise that will be leveraged to enhance Unicapital’s regional competitiveness while staying rooted in its local market foundations.
“Unicapital has a legacy of trusted execution,” said Karen Singson. “Our opportunity now is to broaden our origination pipeline by using technology to help more companies scale their vision.”
Singson believes that as Philippine businesses expand and compete internationally, they require partners who can bridge local dynamics with global capital environments, a space where Unicapital is uniquely positioned to deliver.
A Global Perspective for Local Growth
Karen Singson, a CFA charterholder and Harvard Business School graduate, provides an integrated view of capital markets forged across international finance centers. Her career began in New York at the investment banking arm of Swiss Re and in the equity research group at Morgan Stanley, followed by buy-side experience covering Global Financials at The Boston Company Asset Management. This global foundation informs her strategic approach, which she later applied in high-stakes roles in the Philippines.
Singson served as Chief Privatization Officer and later as Undersecretary of Finance. During her public-sector tenure, she advised on landmark restructuring and privatization deals, including the recapitalization of United Coconut Planters Bank and the restructuring of Hanjin Shipyard, which secured a $300 million investment from Cerberus Capital.
In investment banking, she was Vice President for Philippine coverage at Macquarie Capital, where she led capital markets and M&A advisory across key sectors. “I am bringing an integrated view of how capital, governance, and innovation can accelerate growth,” Singson stated. “My focus is on bringing institutional-grade advisory and access to capital to the entrepreneurs and companies that power the Philippine economy.”
Setting the Direction for Unicapital’s Next Chapter
Singson’s leadership is focused on three strategic pillars designed to enhance the firm’s competitive advantage in the market. At the core of her agenda is the goal of expanding market access for Philippine businesses. She plans to deepen the firm’s engagement with international investors to create more pathways for companies to tap larger and more diverse pools of capital.
Second is the modernization of Unicapital’s internal processes. She aims to integrate digital tools and data-driven solutions throughout the deal cycle — from origination and pipeline management, all the way through closing. This shift to a more tech-forward workflow is intended to shorten turnaround times, improve transparency, and deliver a smoother customer experience for clients.
Lastly, she aims to elevate Unicapital’s advisory capabilities. Under her leadership, the firm will move beyond the traditional role of capital raising to become a valuable partner to its clients. This includes providing high-value guidance in complex areas such as deal structuring, valuation, governance, and long-term exit planning, ensuring that businesses receive the depth of insight they need to grow with confidence.
Singson also places a strong emphasis on talent development, aiming to cultivate teams that “think analytically, independently, and execute decisively”.
As Unicapital enters a new phase of growth, Singson’s appointment highlights the firm’s goal of becoming a more agile and globally attuned investment house. Her international perspective and deep understanding of the local market positions the firm to better navigate shifting market cycles, capture new opportunities, and serve clients with the sophistication required in today’s landscape.
