Independent specialist insurance and reinsurance broker BMS Group has appointed Ryo Iizuka (pictured above) as director of private equity, mergers & acquisitions, and tax (PEMAT) in Japan, effective immediately.
Based in Tokyo, Iizuka will report to Tim Hewitt, head of BMS Japan. The Japan office, operational since mid-2023, now comprises a team with backgrounds in legal, investment banking, consulting, and insurance.
Iizuka brings extensive experience from large global investment banking and M&A consulting firms, having held senior positions at Deloitte, Accenture, and HSBC. He will work with Hewitt and associate Kaori Iwai to meet the growing demand in Japan for independent, specialist advice and tailored insurance solutions to mitigate complex risks in various transactions.
BMS said that Iizuka’s M&A experience and track record in implementing successful strategies for Japanese and global businesses, including corporates and private equity firms, will enhance the firm’s capabilities in Japan’s active M&A market.
BMS has expanded its presence in Asia over the past few years, with offices and multilingual experts in Hong Kong, Seoul, and Singapore. This growth allows BMS to provide comprehensive services across major financial hubs in the region.
According to BMS’s 2024 PEMAT report, there has been a resurgence in M&A activity in Asia, particularly in Japan, driving increased demand for the PEMAT team’s services. Iizuka’s appointment underscores BMS’s commitment to Japan and the broader region.
Hewitt stated that Iizuka’s broad perspective and experience will add a new dimension to the BMS team, particularly in advising on M&A strategies involving Japan.
“I’m looking forward to working with Ryo as my front-line partner as we continue to challenge the market with new solutions for insureds. We’ve had a great first year in Japan, and the hire of Ryo marks our dedication to delivering insurance solutions as strategic deal advisors,” he said.
Iizuka expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with colleagues globally and building BMS’s reputation in Japan.
“I cannot wait to start working with our colleagues around the world and building BMS’s challenger reputation in Japan with Tim and Kaori by contributing my M&A expertise to help develop and deploy new transaction insurance solutions for the insureds in Japan,” he said.
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