Mr Obata was appointed to the role of Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer in July 2018. With nearly 30 years’ experience within the Mizuho Financial Group and spending total of 13 years in the London office, he has gained a wide range of experience and knowledge in finance, particularly in European financial market and practices. Having worked on syndicated loans and fund investment, particularly in a very diverse team in LBO finance, he is familiar with the dynamics of European financial market and fund investment. He has held various senior positions within the organisation including Managing Director in Mizuho Bank, Ltd and Senior Manager in Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

Mr Obata has a degree of Bachelor of Law from Tokyo University in Japan and a Master degree of Business Administration from London Business School.