Switzerland-based alternative asset manager Partners Group has opened a representative office in Tokyo to support the group’s activities in Asia.
Switzerland-based alternative asset manager Partners Group has opened a representative office in Tokyo to support the group’s activities in Asia. The rapid acceleration of the regional private equity market offers attractive potential for investment, the group says, while an increased appetite for the alternative asset class can be observed amongst local investors.
The Tokyo office is headed by senior vice-president Junichiro Kawamura, who is responsible for business development activities, investment origination and client relationships in Japan. Before joining Partners Group, Kawamura held various positions within the Mizuho group and established an alternative investment business for Mizuho Trust & Banking.
‘The expansion of our presence in the Asia-Pacific region reflects the growth of this market,’ says Christoph Rubeli, head of Asia and the Middle East for Partners Group. ‘The Tokyo office ensures we are well positioned to take advantage of the investment possibilities as well as the increased appetite for the alternative asset class displayed by Japanese investors.
‘Access to this market will be further reinforced through our co-operation with strategic distribution partners such as Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management, as announced in July.’
Executive vice-chairman Urs Wietlisbach adds: ‘The opening of the Tokyo office reflects our strategic focus on the build-up of our Asian market presence and activity. We are very pleased to have Junichiro Kawamura involved in leading these efforts, and are confident his expertise and network will increase our ability to offer our clients attractive opportunities in the Japanese market, as well as support us in expanding our Japanese client base.’
Partners Group manages assets totalling CHF22bn in alternative investment programmes including private equity, private debt, private real estate, listed alternative strategies, hedge funds and alternative beta strategies, offering a broad range of funds, structured products and customised portfolios to an international clientele of institutional investors, private banks and distribution partners.
Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with offices in New York, London, San Francisco, Singapore and Guernsey, the firm employs more than 220 people, is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange with a market capitalisation of more than CHF3.5bn, and is majority owned by its 34 partners and principals and its employees.
