Independent Australian funds management group Yarra Capital Management today announced that former President and Head of BlackRock Japan Masato Degawa will join the Firm’s parent company board as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Adviser, Japan, effective September 2017.

Masato Degawa is one of the Asia Pacific region’s most experienced investment professionals. In addition to his former role with BlackRock, Masato has previously held senior positions with Société Générale Asset Management (Japan) and J.P. Morgan Asset Management. He began his career with Morgan Stanley after completing an MA at the University of Oxford. He is also a CFA® charterholder.

As a Senior Adviser based in Tokyo, Masato will advise on the Firm’s approach to distribution and the expansion of Yarra Capital Management’s offer to existing and prospective clients in the Asia Pacific region, with a major focus on Japan. He will also be a key point of contact for the Firm’s Japanese fixed income and multi-asset fund client base.

Commenting on Masato Degawa’s appointment, Mark Burgess, Independent Chairman of Yarra Capital Management, said:

“Since Yarra Capital Management’s formation we have been looking to add senior talent to the Firm’s Board, and we could not be more pleased that Masato has agreed to join us. His experience running large, global funds management organisations in the Asia Pacific region is a significant boost to the Firm’s capabilities.”

Dion Hershan, Managing Director, commented:

“The Asia Pacific region, and in particular Japan, is an extremely important market for this business, and we couldn’t have hoped for a more qualified candidate to join Yarra Capital Management. Masato’s appointment as a Senior Adviser to build out our Japanese client offer reflects our strong focus on growing assets in this market.”

Masato Degawa added:

“I’m very excited to be joining Yarra Capital Management. The Firm has an excellent reputation in the Japanese market, and I look forward to working with the team to deepen relationships with current clients and expand the Firm’s asset base over time.