Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis founded Dezan Shira & Associates in 1992 and it has since grown to be Asia's largest independent business advisory firm, advising multinational businesses on matters of foreign direct investment into China, Hong Kong, India and Vietnam. The practice maintains nine offices in China, five in India, and two in Vietnam, and services over 2,000 clients from over 90 countries.

Dezan Shira & Associates is a member of the Leading Edge Alliance of global accountants and auditors, which obtained a combined global annual turnover in excess of US$2.3 billion in 2009.

Dezan Shira provides services exclusively to foreign direct investors, allowing them to specialise in this particular field. They provide pre-incorporation regulatory and tax advice on, business incorporation and tax structuring, market entry and contract drafting as well as providing ongoing tax, accounting, transactions, payroll, due diligence and compliance.

Prior to establishing Dezan Shira & Associates, Chris Devonshire-Ellis worked in Asia since 1986, and has worked for Asia Law & Practice and the international law firm Mossack Fonseca. In 1999, Chris founded the Asia Briefing publishing house, which publishes, among other things, the well received China Briefing magazines and books concerning matters of China business law and tax. Chris has also edited a number of books about business in China, including both regional and technical guides.

In 2007 Chris founded the India Briefing brand, which also publishes business magazines and guidebooks. Similarly, in 2008 he created Vietnam Briefing, and in 2010, Russia Briefing. Chris also contributes to the Emerging Asia business blog 2point6billion.com, and can be read on his personal travel blog at www.chrisdevonshire-ellis.com.

Chris Devonshire-Ellis is also the founder of the Mongolia Expat and China Expat sites.