Longreach plucks two from Barclays

Hong Kong-based The Longreach Group has hired two professionals for its Tokyo investment team, according to the firm. 

Takuya Sato has joined as executive director with experience in strategic investments and post-merger integration work in corporate roles internationally and in M&A advisory. He most recently served as a director in M&A advisory at Barclays Capital.

The other hire is Kishin Ryu who will join as an associate. He comes from Barclays Capital Japan where he was a senior analyst in corporate finance and M&A. 

“We are very pleased to add two very qualified investment professionals who will greatly enhance our team as we move forward with the execution of a strong Japan pipeline,” said Masa Yoshizawa, the firm's Tokyo-based representative director and partner, in an emailed statement.

With the two hires, Longreach now has nine professionals in its Tokyo office. 

The Longreach Group is based in Hong Kong with additional offices in Tokyo and Shanghai and is focused on buyout investments in Japan and North Asia. It held a final close on $400 million for its second fund, Longreach Capital Partners II in September 2012. 

Other firms have also been enhancing their Japan presence as expectations rise for deals. Earlier this month, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts hired two directors for its Japan office, increasing the firm’s team in the country to 12 people as it prepares to close its $6 billion Asia fund. Also in March, Unison Capital Partners, which is considering raising a new fund, promoted four executives to partner level.