Reiko Mito joins newly created Martin Currie Japan Equity team following the firm’s strategic decision to build and offer dedicated Japan Equity capabilities.
Martin Currie, a global active equity specialist headquartered in Edinburgh and part of the Franklin Templeton group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Reiko Mito as Head of Japan Equity Strategy and Research, effective 25 August, 2022. In this newly created role, Reiko will join the newly formed Martin Currie Japan Equity team reporting to Michael Browne, Global Head of Investment Strategy and Oversight at Martin Currie.
This high-profile appointment follows Martin Currie’s long-standing ambition and strategic decision to build and offer dedicated Japan equity capabilities to complement its Australian, Asian, Emerging Markets, European, Global and UK equity capabilities.
Michael Browne, Global Head of Investment Strategy and Oversight at Martin Currie, said: “We are delighted to have a dedicated in-house Japan equity capability and we are excited that, in Reiko, we have appointed a strong and experienced leader who will help us build our offering in this space. She brings extensive and robust experience to the firm, with 16 years of specialist investment experience in Japanese equities. Her appointment demonstrates our commitment to investing in new talent to support our long-standing ambition in this space, and I look forward to working with the new Japan equity team.”
Reiko commented: “I am delighted to join Martin Currie, a well-known and respected brand with a strong track record in active equities. I am excited to work with the team to expand our Japanese equity capabilities while leading the idea generation and research for the fund.”
A Japanese national based in Switzerland, Reiko joins Martin Currie from Zurich-based GAM Investments where she was investment director and co-manager of the Japan Equity and GAM Star Japan Leaders Fund. Before joining GAM Investments in November 2011, she worked as a senior equity analyst at Atlantic Investment Management in Tokyo for five years. Prior to that, she was an analyst and portfolio manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in Tokyo for six years. Reiko started her career at the Bank of Japan in Tokyo in 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the International Christian University in Tokyo and is a CFA charterholder. Reiko will be based in Zurich, working with Martin Currie out of Franklin Templeton’s Switzerland office
In addition to Martin Currie’s ambitions in the Japan equity space, Reiko’s appointment is timely and dovetails smoothly into the firm’s strategic and thoughtful succession plan to support the UK domiciled FTF Martin Currie Japan Equity Fund3. Martin Currie has been supporting and collaborating with Shiozumi Asset Management, a specialist asset manager focused on Japanese equities, in managing the FTF Martin Currie Japan Equity Fund since July 2020. In advance of portfolio manager Hideo Shiozumi’s upcoming retirement in 2023, he will step down from his portfolio management responsibilities as sub-investment manager of the fund effective 23 September 2022. Thereafter, Hideo will act in the capacity of senior advisor to Martin Currie for up to a 12-month period. Martin Currie extends its profound gratitude to Hideo for his dedication to the fund as well as his insights and enthusiasm around investing in Japanese growth companies since founding Shiozumi Investment Limited in 1990.
From 23 September 2022, Martin Currie will co-manage the fund alongside Templeton Asset Management Limited (TAML). The fund’s new portfolio management team will consist of Singapore-based Paul Danes. Paul is a long-tenured and well-established investment professional at Martin Currie/Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (TAML). He has over 18 years of prior experience in Japanese research and portfolios and is fluent in Japanese. Paul and Reiko will work closely with Hideo Shiozumi during the transition period to ensure continuity and preserve the investment style and philosophy of the fund. Martin Currie does not expect any changes in the fund’s investment strategy or philosophy, as a result of this announcement.
Martyn Gilbey, UK Country Head at Franklin Templeton, added: “Martin Currie is an important specialist investment manager and partner for Franklin Templeton in the UK retail market. With the addition of the newly formed Japan equity team, Martin Currie now has a comprehensive range of capabilities to offer investors in addition to its Australian, Asian, Emerging Markets, European, Global and UK investment expertise. We look forward to working in partnership with Martin Currie to achieve our growth ambitions in the market via their high-quality growth funds with strong ESG credentials.”
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