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Japan’s Ark Totan loses secondaries head – exclusive

The advisory firm expects to find a replacement as soon as November, Secondaries Investor has learned.

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Ark Totan, a Japanese advisory firm, expects to hire a replacement within two to three months after the recent departure of its head of secondaries, Secondaries Investor has learned.

Hiro Hatayama, who joined Tokyo-based Ark in 2014, confirmed he left the firm in August and has joined asset manager Russell Investments. Hatayama executed Ark’s first fund liquidation and helped establish the firm’s secondaries business.

He led deals involving Japanese pension funds’ private equity asset disposals and built relationships with over 50 domestic and foreign potential buyers, according to his LinkedIn.

Taketo Furuya, a co-founder at Ark, will take over the firm’s secondaries business until a replacement is found.

Founded in 2010, Ark offers placement agent, secondaries advisory and asset management services. The firm has helped place funds including Japanese secondaries firm Ant Capital Partners‘ 2010-vintage Ant Bridge No.3-A/B Private Equity Secondary Investment Fund, which closed on 11 billion yen ($108 million; €96 million).