Meiji Yasuda plans to direct Y200bn (approximately $1.25bn) into Man Group investment vehicles over a three-year period and secure an equity holding of roughly 5% in the London-listed alternative asset manager.
Under the equity transaction terms, Meiji Yasuda will purchase the shares on the open market. The holding carries a three-year lock-up period starting from the date of the agreement.
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The Japanese insurer cannot exceed a 19.99% shareholding in Man Group under the agreement’s standstill clause, with orderly market arrangements governing any future share disposals.
Each condition remains subject to customary exceptions.
Building on their February 2025 alliance, the companies now seek to expand cooperation beyond private assets.
The partnership focuses on knowledge sharing – particularly in quantitative methods and AI.
To facilitate operational collaboration, Meiji Yasuda will also second employees to the UK investment firm.
Man Group CEO Robyn Grew said: “We have built a deeply important relationship with Meiji Yasuda over several years and are very pleased to expand our strategic partnership. Meiji Yasuda’s increased commitment to our investment strategies underlines our capabilities in private credit and demonstrates our ability to serve large insurance clients globally.”
The capital allocation forms part of Meiji Yasuda’s medium-term business plan, “MY Mutual Way Phase II,” which covers FY2024 through FY2026.
The strategy prioritises asset management expansion through increased allocations to private assets and the adoption of AI and quantitative methods, alongside wider institutional initiatives to establish Japan as a leading asset management centre.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company group CEO and president Hideki Nagashima said: “Man Group is an important partner for Meiji Yasuda, with extensive expertise in quantitative investment management, AI utilisation, private assets, and other areas. “Through this expansion of our strategic partnership, we will further promote access to a broad range of investment strategies, the sharing of advanced knowledge, and personnel exchanges, thereby further enhancing our asset management capabilities.”
