Experience that predates the opportunity.

Stephen has spent more than three decades working across Japan and Australia in investment banking, asset management, corporate advisory and cross-border investment.

Fluent in Japanese, he lived in Japan for 12 years and holds a Master of Economics from Hitotsubashi University. His career has included senior roles with Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Mizuho Securities, as well as co-founding two alternative asset management businesses that grew to more than US$1 billion in assets.

Stephen has worked extensively with Japanese financial institutions, corporates and investors and has developed a deep understanding of how Japanese organisations assess opportunities, build trust and make long-term strategic decisions.

At Nichigo Partners, he works with Australian and Japanese companies to identify where genuine strategic alignment exists, position opportunities appropriately for the other market and build relationships that can develop into long-term partnerships, investment, M&A and broader corporate collaboration.

For Australian companies, this means becoming properly understood and strategically relevant to Japan. For Japanese companies, it means informed access to Australian businesses, management teams and opportunities that align with their long-term objectives.

Stephen is particularly passionate about building enduring Australia–Japan partnerships that create value well beyond an individual transaction.

David is the founder and Managing Director of The Hassett Group, a Melbourne-based executive search and strategic talent advisory firm established in 2002.

Over more than two decades, David has built an extensive network across Australian business, working closely with owners, boards, CEOs and senior executives across privately owned, private equity-backed and listed companies. His relationships span sectors including financial services, private equity, property and construction, industrials, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, retail, energy and professional services.

David began his career in accounting with Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton before moving into executive search, where he developed a reputation for long-term, relationship-led advisory rather than transactional recruitment.

At Nichigo Partners, David brings deep access to Australian corporate decision-makers and a strong understanding of the people, ownership structures and strategic ambitions behind privately held and growth businesses.

He works closely with Australian companies considering strategic partnerships, capital, M&A and broader cross-border opportunities with Japan, helping identify where genuine alignment exists and ensuring Nichigo engages at the appropriate senior level.

For Japanese clients, David provides direct access to Australian owners, boards and decision-makers, including privately owned businesses that are rarely visible through conventional channels. His understanding of the people and ownership behind these companies helps Japanese corporates, investors and financial institutions identify relevant acquisition targets, strategic investment opportunities and long-term corporate partners in Australia.

David's longstanding relationships across the Australian C-suite are an important part of Nichigo Partners' ability to originate high-quality opportunities and build trusted connections between Australian companies and Japanese counterparties.

Rory is a Director of The Hassett Group and leads its Executive, Sales, Marketing & Operations practice.

He has more than a decade of experience advising privately owned, private equity-backed and ASX-listed organisations across Australia, working closely with senior executives and management teams on leadership, organisational capability and growth.

Through this work, Rory has developed a broad network across Australian business and strong relationships with founders, CEOs, senior executives, investors and advisers across sectors including private equity, property, construction, industrials, technology, consumer businesses, healthcare, financial services and professional services.

At Nichigo Partners, Rory focuses on origination and the development of Australian corporate relationships. He works closely with business owners and management teams to understand their strategic priorities and identify where relationships with Japanese corporates, investors and financial institutions can create long-term value.

His understanding of Australian management teams and his access to decision-makers provide Nichigo Partners with an important origination capability across privately owned and growth companies.

For Japanese clients, Rory provides market intelligence and access to Australian management teams and privately owned businesses. He helps Japanese corporates, investors and financial institutions understand the companies, people and commercial dynamics behind potential acquisition targets, strategic investments and corporate partnerships, and engage the right Australian decision-makers.

Rory's role is particularly focused on identifying opportunities where strategic partnership, investment, M&A or broader corporate collaboration with Japan can support the next stage of a company's development.

Yusuke is the founder and CEO of Cubic Innov8, a Sydney-based firm that supports market entry in both directions between Japan and Australia.

Raised in Kyoto and based in Sydney for more than eight years, he works with Japanese companies entering Australia and with Australian and US technology companies entering Japan, across market research, sales, marketing and localisation.

He holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from the University of South Australia, with a focus on cybersecurity and data analytics, and a Private Equity Certificate from Wharton. Fully bilingual in Japanese and English, he moves comfortably between Japanese and Australian business cultures.

At Nichigo Partners, Yusuke leads business development on the Japan side, with a particular focus on Japanese buyers and investors. He works closely with Japanese corporates, investors and financial institutions to understand their strategic priorities, investment criteria and decision-making processes in Australia.

As Nichigo's point of contact in Japan, he helps Japanese organisations engage with Australian opportunities in a way that is properly prepared, culturally informed and aligned with their long-term objectives.

Yusuke is particularly focused on building the trust that allows Japanese and Australian organisations to move from an initial conversation to a lasting strategic relationship.