Global private markets firm Partners Group appointed Teppei Kawai as managing director, head of client solutions Japan and head of the Tokyo office.
Mr. Kawai will join on April 1 and is tasked with growing the firm's presence in Japan, which has been identified as a key growth market for the company, a news release said. He will report to Kevin Lu, Asia chairman.
The Tokyo office comprises 10 employees and will have two additions including Mr. Kawai by the spring, a spokesman said. The second hire will be a salesperson focused on covering Japanese financial institutions.
Mr. Kawai replaces Shunsuke Tanahashi, who has led the Tokyo office since 2017. Mr. Tanahashi is still with the company and will transition into a new role in the firm that supports its Japan business operations and existing clients, the spokesman said.
Partners Group set up its Tokyo office in 2007. The firm had $135 billion in total assets under management as of Dec 31.
Mr. Kawai was head of client and product solutions for Japan at Apollo Global Management, a role he held for seven years. He has over 15 years of experience working in Japanese private markets, according to the Partners Group release. An Apollo spokeswoman could not be immediately contacted for information about his replacement.
