Kentaro Muto joins BDA as Managing Director in Tokyo

July 17, 2014 - Kentaro Muto has joined Business Development Asia LLC ("BDA") as Managing Director in BDA's Tokyo office. He will be responsible for originating and executing M&A transactions for private equity and corporate clients in Japan.

Mr. Muto joins from Deutsche Securities where he was Director, Investment Banking Coverage & Advisory. Before that he held positions at Deutsche Asset Management and the Long Term Credit Bank of Japan (now Shinsei Bank). He has extensive experience advising on M&A, restructuring and financing transactions for private equity and corporate clients in telecoms, consumer, retail, and for trading companies. His clients include corporates such as Ajinomoto, Itochu, Japan Tobacco, Lixil Group, USEN, and private equity funds such as Advantage Partners, KKR, Longreach Group, MBK Partners, and TPG.

Jeff Acton, Managing Director and Head of BDA's Tokyo office, said "Kentaro has an excellent reputation and strong relationships with leading Japanese private equity firms and corporations. He will strengthen our advisory capabilities for cross-border M&A transactions involving Japan and the rest of Asia. Advising blue chip clients on sellside mandates is our core business; Kentaro is an important addition to our team."

Charles Maynard, Senior Managing Director and Founding Partner, added "BDA is positioned as the advisor of choice for sophisticated clients on their acquisitions and divestments across Japan and the rest of Asia. We've seen strong growth in M&A involving Japanese clients. We're excited to have hired Kentaro to reinforce our presence and credentials in Japan."

Mr. Muto holds an MBA from Cornell University, an MSc in Mathematical Finance from the University of Tsukuba and a BEng in Applied Chemistry from the University of Tokyo.

About BDA
Business Development Asia LLC ("BDA") is a leader in cross-border investment banking. BDA advises on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe and Asia. BDA was named Investment Banking Firm of the Year at the ACG Champions' Awards in 2014. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Mumbai, Bahrain, Seoul and Tokyo. BDA formed a partnership with William Blair & Company in 2011. BDA carries out its US securities business through BDA Advisors Inc. BDA Advisors Inc is a broker-dealer, registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC.
www.bdallc.com www.bdaadvisors.com

For more information, please contact Charles Maynard in Beijing at +86 10 5737 9028, or Jeff Acton and Kentaro Muto in Tokyo at +81 3 3433 5800.