MetLife Investment Management appoints Omar Slim as Japan head

Akira Kiyota joins from Nomura, Taiji Nagasaka promoted internally to capture growing Japan deal flows and opportunity.

Rob Ward joins from MUFG to lead Natixis CIB’s Australia and New Zealand operations, bringing extensive energy and infrastructure expertise.

Nathalie Beauvir has been promoted to head the sustainable transitions department looking at ESG and CSR. Meanwhile, a fixed income portfolio manager will soon join Ostrum AM in Asia, FA has learned.

The Series D round values the Korean semiconductor startup at $2.9bn as it targets global commercialisation of its AI inference accelerator.

Laura Fitzsimmons will join from JP Morgan, starting in Sydney in August, according to an internal memo seen by FA.

Asia’s fixed income markets began 2025 on a stable footing, buoyed by falling rates and policy support from China; however, as credit spreads rise amid tariff mayhem, investors are seeking pockets of opportunities such as NBFIs and LGFVs.