Actis appoints Yu Serizawa as Strategic Advisor
Actis, a global investor in sustainable infrastructure, is pleased to announce the appointment of Yu Serizawa as Strategic Advisor to the firm.
Yu was born in Tokyo, grew up in Europe and studied at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, before beginning her career with Crédit Lyonnais. She launched the first English language newsletter on Japan’s Finance Markets, Nippon Finance, before going on to establish the strategic advisory firm, Forma Corporation, latterly as CEO.
In 1990 she became the first Senior Advisor for Japan to the World Economic Forum, expanding its Japanese membership to over 100 companies during her 15-year tenure. In 1999 she took on the NED role as Advisor to the President of the Mori Building Company, Japan’s largest privately held real estate company. Yu was appointed as Board Member of Renault S.A. in December 2016 representing Nissan’s interest and renewed her mandate on the Strategy Committee in 2021 for another four years.
Torbjorn Caesar, Senior Partner, Actis said: “Yu brings a wealth of market insight, and her contribution will be welcomed by our executive committee and our existing team of Actis Strategic Advisors. Yu’s arrival will take our Strategic Advisory panel to seven, strengthening the diversity of expertise we can call upon as we focus on our long-term growth plans.”
Actis recently announced it has extended its footprint in Asia with two senior hires. Jun Ohashi and Tareq Sirhan join the firm as Partner and Head of Actis Japan, and Head of Energy for North Asia respectively and will be based in Tokyo.
The Japan launch reflects Actis’ strategic evolution to invest behind global themes. Actis aims to originate superior risk-return opportunities wherever they are found, and to create additional value by drawing on its extensive hands-on experience operating infrastructure assets and driving ESG improvements.
Actis expects to commit almost US$500 million in Japan over the next 4-5 years and will also look at opportunities in Taiwan and Korea and will primarily explore energy transition assets and New Economy Real Estate opportunities.
In Asia the firm already has investments in China, Korea, Vietnam and India, and offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong, Delhi and Mumbai.