S4 Capital adds ‘Silicon Valley and Chinese know how and wisdom’
S4 Capital has appointed Naoko Okumoto and Margaret Ma Connolly as non executive directors. Their appointments equal the number of executive and non-executive directors on the board of S4 Capital.
Okumoto is the CEO and managing partner of strategic investment and consulting firm Amber Bridge Partners. Connolly is CEO Asia at Informa Markets, the exhibitions, content and data solutions arm of British publishing company Informa. Speaking of the appointments Sir Martin Sorrell said: “Naoko and Margaret add Silicon Valley and Chinese know how and wisdom, which are two critically important areas of expertise for S4 Capital’s future.”
The announcement:
S4Capital plc (SFOR.L) the new era/new age digital advertising and marketing services company, announces the appointment of two new Non-Executive Directors to the S4Capital board to enhance governance and diversity at the fast-growing business. The appointments mean S4Capital’s board is now equally comprised of Executive and Non-Executive directors.
Naoko Okumoto joins as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Naoko is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Amber Bridge Partners, a strategic investment and consulting firm specialising in cross-border business development, investment and operations between the United States and Asia Pacific. Naoko serves as a Partner and Executive Adviser to Z Corporation, a blockchain-focused fund owned by Z Holdings Corporation (the Softbank subsidiary formerly known as Yahoo Japan Inc. She has previously been an Executive Vice President and Board member at N.Avenue, part of Z Corporation; and an Executive Vice President and Board member for CoinDesk Japan. Naoko was a founding partner at World Innovation Lab, a global VC firm, and has worked as Vice President of International Product and Business Management at Yahoo Inc.
Margaret Ma Connolly, who also joins as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect, is Chief Executive Officer, Asia, of Informa Markets, the exhibitions, content and data solutions arm of Informa, overseeing its businesses in China, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Myanmar. Margaret joined UBM in 2008 as Managing Director, China and Vice President, Asia before its combination with Informa in 2018. She started the wholly owned business in China to spearhead the development in key sectors and grew the business through partnerships. Previous senior roles include General Manager of TNT Express Worldwide, based in Shanghai, and Assistant General Manager of Global Sources. She also held senior leadership positions in various technology and media companies in US and China.
Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairman of S4 Capital, commented: “Naoko and Margaret add Silicon Valley and Chinese know how and wisdom, which are two critically important areas of expertise for S4 Capital’s future. Between them they bring years of experience in strategic international business development, investment and portfolio management with a particular focus on fast-growing digital businesses operating at the critical nexus of business between North America and Asia Pacific. They will help to strengthen our commitment to diversity on the S4Capital board and support independent governance, and their appointment takes the number of Non-Executive Directors on the S4Capital board to seven, half of the board. I’m delighted that these two talented individuals will be bringing their unique expertise to our board and welcome them to the company.”
Naoko Okumoto commented: “My work has been focused on helping support fast-growing digital businesses achieve scale through the application of expertise and cross-border support. I’m thrilled to be joining the board of S4Capital and I believe my expertise in helping businesses in North America and Asia Pacific connect and thrive together will be of great value to this growing business.”
Margaret Ma Connolly added: “I’m really looking forward to bringing my skills and network in business development in China to support S4Capital as it increases its global footprint and working alongside the other members of this talented and highly diverse board.”
Source: S4 Capital press release
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