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Executive Access takes the number one spot once again in the Asiamoney headhunters poll, but in the individual stakes Eban's Stephen McAlinden steals this year's crown. Our respondents give their candid opinions on the best, and the worst, recruitment specialists in the business.

It's easy to transcribe an interview with Allan Moss. The CEO of Macquarie Bank speaks with such considered deliberation, the words come out at a slow typing pace. Moss doesn't say "doesn't" or "wouldn't": the abbreviation would be too pacey, too spontaneous. Instead the sentences come out grammatically perfect, rhythmically balanced, in full. In fact Moss doesn't seem a lot like a CEO. Friendly and slightly awkward, he shows none of the hyperactivity one often finds in senior management at investment banks. But he has clearly been doing something right during his eight years as CEO, because Macquarie is a remarkable success story.

TRI, owner of cellular telcom operator Celcom, is on the road with lead manager and bookrunner Crédit Lyonnais Securities Asia (CLSA), seeking the equivalent of up to $368m as part of the company's restructuring and recapitalisation package. The result of the placement should be known at the end of next week. Even if funds around the world agree to take the placement, their commitment is contingent on the completion of a new debt package in Malaysian ringgits and on signing of an underwriting agreement for a one-for-one rights issue.

In a surprise move, CapitaLand has appointed Goldman Sachs as financial adviser for the planned relaunch of its SingMall Property Trust (SingMall) flotation. When the deal was first attempted in November, UBS Warburg, along with DBS, held the prestigious mandate, which involved the creation of the first public real estate investment trust (REIT) in Singapore. The appointment has shocked the market. Goldman Sachs was reprimanded by the Singapore authorities last year for its role as adviser to DBS. Also, the US bank has only a small presence in the Australian property trust market, which is the nearest to Singapore geographically, whereas UBS is widely considered the most experienced arranger and executor of property trust floats and fund raisings in Australia. Nikko Salomon Smith Barney and Nomura managed the two first REIT deals out of Japan.

* Following the fall of Global Crossing, Hutchison Whampoa and Singapore Technologies have signed a letter of intent to buy a controlling stake in the US fibre optic company for $750m. Hutchison and Singapore Technologies have submitted a restructuring plan to the US bankruptcy court under which they will recapitalise the company, scale down its $12bn in debt and prepare it for a revitalisation in broadband demand. The debt restructuring with the company's creditors is expected to last for several months.

Australia In a quiet week in Australia, UBS Warburg and KTM Capital completed a placement to raise A$78m for KAZ Computing Services. The deal was priced on Tuesday at the bottom end of the A$0.90-A$0.98 bookbuild range.

Hysan Development launched its $200m 10 year Eurodollar bond issue to a rousing reception last Friday, but had to pay up for the privilege. With price guidance of 185bp over US Treasuries, the transaction eventually came out at 200bp - a price that joint lead managers Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley attributed to the property rental corporate's ambition to appeal to a broad investment base.

JG Summit finished pricing its $100m four year Eurodollar issue on Monday, after a short but noticeable delay. ING Barings was sole lead manager for the corporate deal, which stands as the first from the Philippines for over two years. Following a roadshow two weeks ago, pricing on the Reg S but non-144A transaction was delayed last week. This led to speculation that ING was having difficulty attracting investors.

Cheap pricing and the exclusion of a public offer could not prevent Media Partners International shares from slumping yesterday (Thursday) on their first day of trading. BNP Paribas Peregrine arranged the flotation on the Growth Enterprise Market. The deal completed a difficult two weeks for outdoor advertising companies active in the China market. Three have listed in Hong Kong in recent weeks, with varying success.

National Power Corp (Napocor) was ready to give the green light for its $500m seven year bond issue today (Friday). Opinion in Asia is deeply sceptical about the rationale and cost effectiveness of the deal, which is guaranteed by the sovereign and is the first Asian issue to carry political risk insurance (PRI). Bear Stearns is acting as bookrunner, with JP Morgan participating as joint lead manager. Sovereign Risk, a subsidiary of XL Insurance is providing the PRI, which costs 40bp. The issue was originally scheduled for the third quarter of last year, but was postponed due to market conditions.

Taiwan's equity market has had a hectic week, absorbing three deals from new technology names. Credit Suisse First Boston on Tuesday priced a $175m convertible for Ritek Corp, Citibank Taipei closed a $70m deal for Chunghwa Picture Tubes last Friday, and Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch yesterday (Thursday) launched an issue for Macronix International. When Deutsche and Merrill went out into the market yesterday on behalf of Macronix, indicative terms showed a deal size of roughly $155m, with a $31m greenshoe. The actual size is based on conversion into 157.5m shares, and the greenshoe was calculated at 31.5m shares. By late evening Hong Kong time, the leads had priced the issue at a healthy 20% premium and a yield to put of 3.55%, equivalent to interpolated US Treasuries plus 15bp per year.

* AIG SunAmerica Funding II Rating: Aaa/AAA