ARTISAN GROUP

MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. Nobu Kishi

CEO of Artisan Group
Founder and President of "First Wednesday"
CEO of Kishi & Associates K.K.

Mr. Nobu Kishi is the CEO of Artisan Group, a company that aims to create a community where people feel happier as they get older, and to expand the quality of the middle class. Over 20 years of experience in investment and management consulting services for global companies, both domestic and international. Through his advisory services in management, investment, pre- and post-merger integration and M&A strategies, and post-merger value-adding, he has helped companies increase their sales and profits. He has also worked in venture business management, investment and project management.

He studied Japan-US relations and US-Asia relations at Harvard University, and international relations, international economics and Asian studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). After working in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs, he studied at the IMD Business School in Switzerland (Program for Executive Development).

In 2002, he founded Kishi & Associates, a management consulting firm, where he was responsible for advising Japanese and global companies on strategic planning, investment and M&A strategies, post-M&A activities, and marketing communications. His experience includes advising global companies such as Nestlé, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hitachi, Dentsu, Mitsubishi, P&G, McDonald's Japan, Philip Morris, LVMH, Hakutsuru Brewery, Ajinomoto, Kewpie and LIXIL.

Since May 2003, he has been organizing "First Wednesday", a membership club for executives of Japanese and foreign companies, which is a monthly discussion forum. The club is highly regarded for its quality and honest dialogue with executives from Japan's largest and most innovative companies, and the New York Times has signed a media partnership with First Wednesday.

Through his long association with Mr. Helmut Maucher, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé He translated the book " Management Brevier." He wrote a series of articles for Marketing magazine on " Management of Companies in Global Markets" (December 2003 - May 2009). He was also a part-time lecturer in the Department of Economics at Gakushuin University for five years, and a member of the Program Advisory Committee at BS-TBS (January 2011 to December 2016).

He has also given a lecture on Japan's regional development at the first Taiwan-Japan Regional Development Forum in 2019, organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan (Chung Yeung Development Center). He has also been involved in advising the Center's executive staff on local development in Taiwan.

Artisan's vision of "Creating a New Ecosystem Valuing Peoples Quality of Life"was published in the Group of Nations, the official publication of the G20 in Saudi Arabia in autumn 2020.

"First Wednesday", a management club exclusively for members：

Mr. Tatsuo Tanaka

Special Executive Advisor of Artisan Group/Chairman of Apollo Global Management Japan, Inc.
Former Chairman of the Board, Citigroup Japan Holdings G.K.
Former Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

After graduating from Keio University Faculty of Law in 1973, he joined The Bank of Tokyo, Ltd. and held various senior positions in the corporate division, especially overseas. From 2007 to 2008, he served as Managing Executive Officer and Deputy Head of International Division, and from 2008 to 2011, he served as Representative Director and Deputy President, Head of International Division of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Representative Director of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. in charge of International Operations, and Chairman of the Board of Union Bank, N.A. and Union Bank Corporation. In July 2012, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Citigroup Japan Holdings Corp(reorganized as a limited liability company in 2015). In December 2020, he retired as Chairman of the Board of Citigroup Japan Holdings Corp.And in January 2021, he was appointed Senior Advisor to Citigroup Japan Holdings Corp.

He is currently Chairman of Apollo, one of the world's largest PE funds, an advisor to Japan Asia Investment Co.,Ltd. (JAIC), a trustee of the International House of Japan, and a board member of The Genron NPO.

Mr. Kiyoshi Tezuka

Vice Chairman & Executive Director of Artisan Group
Founder and Chairman of Kuraya Co Ltd (Cheese Garden in Nasu Kogen)
Director of KANAYA HOTEL KANKO GROUP

In 1984, with the vision of developing a renowned confectionery in Nasu Kogen, Kuraya was established, and in 1994, with the idea that "confectionery is culture", started selling "Goyotei Cheesecake", which became a trademark of the Cheese Garden.

In 2007, the "Cafe & Garden Shirasagitei" was opened on the premises of the Cheese Garden, and in 2009, the "Nasu Factory" was opened. From 2012 onwards, the company has conducted research trips to Paris, London, Copenhagen, New York and Los Angeles, where it has been in contact with the evolving world, people's interests and desires, ancient art and architecture, and has developed a sister brand. Enhanced visual communication of the Cheese Garden's vision and philosophy through design, renewed the Cheese Garden's corporate image, opened the Tokyo Solamachi shop, the "Head Core" logistics base and the "CG Lab" confectionery factory. In 2017, opened the "Pure Coco" main shop in Daikanyama, and in the same year opened N Cacao Chocolate in Nasu Kogen. The company operates 16 shops, including sister brand shops, and has been profitable for 35 consecutive years since it was founded in 1984.

The company's motto is "Action is the truth", and the total design of the company, from the first impression of the company, to the decoration of the shops, the package design, the way the employees move around, the warehouse, the factory, the local environment, etc. Mr. Kiyoshi Tezuka has led the company's growth by refining the Cheese Garden brand as a "public institution". The company's growth was driven by a management style that was loved by many employees. Based on his management philosophy of "people-centred management", he is committed to the artisan in terms of management and intrinsic added value, based on the management skills he has cultivated over the years, including hotel management.

Mr. Hashimoto

Advisor of Artisan Group
CEO of INTERBRIDGE Inc.

Born in Kamakura in 1971, Shinsuke Hashimoto spent early parts of the early his childhood in Switzerland and the United States. He graduated from Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management in 1994 and then joined Nippon Life Insurance Company. From 1996 to 1998, he pursued a master’s degree in International Politics, Economics, and International Relations at Georgetown University.

Since completing his graduate studies, Mr. Hashimoto has consistently specialized in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) advisory work. He spent six years at leading U.S. investment banks, including J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Nikko Citigroup (now Citigroup Securities), where he focused on M&A advisory and corporate fundraising, including initial public offerings (IPOs). From 2005 to 2018, he worked at GCA Savvian, Japan’s first listed independent M&A advisory firm, where he concentrated on cross-border M&A, particularly in the United States, Europe, India, and China. During 2010-2011, he was stationed in San Francisco, supporting Japanese technology companies in expanding into the U.S. market.

Following his tenure at GCA Savvian, Mr. Hashimoto joined BDA Partners, an independent British investment bank specializing in cross-border M&A in Asia. In 2021, he founded the management consulting firm Interbridge, aiming to leverage his extensive experience in corporate collaboration, including M&A and international business expansion.

At Artisan, Mr. Hashimoto will drive the acceleration and strengthening of future business development. Additionally, he will contribute to M&A advisory services at Kishi & Associates, focusing on fostering inter-company collaboration both domestically and internationally.

Mr. Omid Vafa (Sena)

Advisor of Artisan Group

Sena is a visionary entrepreneur, public speaker, and dedicated philanthropist with over two decades of experience at the forefront of technology and trading across a multitude of global industries. His dynamic leadership has been pivotal in driving innovative initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and emerging startups.

Sena's unique ability to leverage an extensive network and deep expertise in corporate management, cutting-edge technology, food and beverage, and the fashion and cosmetics sectors has established him as a leading figure in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North American markets. Sena possesses a robust skill set encompassing business development, public relations and marketing, product and service quality assurance, and comprehensive brand restructuring. He is particularly noted for his advanced negotiation and diplomatic skills, honed through several years of work with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and other governmental institutions. This experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of international policy and human rights issues, further enriching his capacity to engage with diverse global stakeholders. As a polyglot, Sena excels in navigating complex international landscapes, which, combined with his exceptional public relations capabilities, has facilitated the successful launch of national and international programs targeting B2B, B2G, and B2C markets. His strategic foresight and nuanced understanding of global business cultures have been critical in forming and nurturing high-impact international partnerships with some of the world's most distinguished companies.

Sena's influence and connections extend across a broad spectrum of senior-level professionals in Japan/APAC, Australia, the Middle East, and North America. His reach spans key sectors including Technology, Education, International Trading, Entertainment, Government, and the Beauty/Apparel industry. This expansive network not only underscores his versatility and reach but also highlights his capacity to bridge diverse markets and industries effectively. Sena has published several books and contributed articles in security and global affairs over the past two decades. His latest book, "Make Life Colorful," features a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is currently under review by Ms. Angelina Jolie. The book is available worldwide in English (ISBN: 978- 0-6457764-0-9) and Farsi (ISBN: 978-0-6457764-1-6), with a Japanese edition forthcoming. His leadership style is characterized by a profound commitment to innovation, integrity, and inclusive growth, inspiring those around him to pursue excellence and contribute positively to the global community.