Asset Value Investors (‘AVI’) has hired Jason Bellamy, President and CEO of Bellamy Corporation, as its consultant to lead on the company’s engagement efforts in Japan. AVI is the investment manager of both AVI Japan Opportunities Trust (“AJOT”) and AVI Global Opportunities Trust (AGT), which employ a balanced approach to activism in Japan following the trend towards improved corporate governance in the country. Across AJOT and AGT, AVI has GBP380 million (JPY50 billion) invested in Japan.

Based in Tokyo, Bellamy will focus on developing and sustaining strong relationships with the management of AVI’s investee companies as well as affiliated shareholders. He will report to Joe Bauernfreund, Chief Executive Officer of AVI and work with the team in London to facilitate the delivery of strategic activist campaigns to unlock shareholder value and promote high standards of corporate governance.

Bellamy brings more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, working for and engaging with global companies, government bodies, regulators and international investors including Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, First Trust Advisors and Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Joe Bauernfreund, Chief Executive Officer of Asset Value Investor, says: “This is an exciting time for AVI as the level of support for our activist campaigns in Japan is very encouraging. The team and I look forward to working with Jason toward achieving strong results for both AJOT and AGT. We will continue to engage proactively with boards and management to encourage them to implement a stronger focus on shareholder returns.”

Belamy says: “I’m very pleased to be joining AVI at this important time to support the team’s efforts to foster constructive dialogues with key Japanese companies and to deliver outstanding outcomes for strategic campaigns in the most efficient and collaborative way in a market that I know well.”