Apollo has appointed Eiji Ueda (pictured) as partner and head of Asia Pacific as it continues to build regional partnerships in Australia, Japan, Greater China and Korea and develop private market access solutions in the region.
Ueda joins Apollo following his tenure as chief investment officer of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), one of the largest institutional investors globally. At GPIF, he was involved in restructuring the fund’s portfolio strategy during a period the fund described as market volatility.
Before that, he spent nearly 30 years at Goldman Sachs, where he held senior posts in Tokyo and Hong Kong including head of fixed income trading, head of fixed income, currency and commodities (FICC) and co-head of securities, Asia. He also served on Goldman Sachs’ Asia Pacific Management Committee and Firmwide Risk Committee and chaired the Asia Pacific Risk Committee.
“Apollo is bringing something new to Asia: beyond global investment expertise underpinned by local sensitivity, the firm goes further to deliver wealth and retirement solutions others may find hard to build,” said Ueda. “Asia’s demographics, savings base and capital gaps present one of the most compelling growth arcs in the world. I am excited to join the team and help position Apollo as the partner of choice across that entire continuum.”
Ueda succeeds Matt Michelini, who has led Apollo’s activity in Asia Pacific since 2022 and will transition to other leadership responsibilities within the firm next year after overseeing the handover.
Michelini said leading Apollo’s development in Asia Pacific has been a privilege and described the company’s activity in credit, hybrid capital, wealth and retirement solutions as core capabilities in the region. He said Ueda’s appointment represents continuity and development in Apollo’s plans for the region and that he looks forward to working with him.
“Together, we have assembled an incredibly talented team, built out our core capabilities in credit, hybrid capital, wealth and retirement solutions and established strategic partnerships that are unlocking new opportunities the region needs,” said Michelini.
He said Ueda’s appointment represents continuity and development in Apollo’s plans for the region. “Ueda’s appointment signals both continuity and evolution, and I look forward to partnering with him as we enter Apollo’s next stage of growth.”
Jim Zelter, president of Apollo, said Asia Pacific is central to Apollo’s next chapter of growth and that demand in the region extends beyond capital to integrated financial solutions in areas such as capital, wealth and retirement.
“Ueda’s track record of innovation, disciplined risk oversight and cross-asset management will enable us to continue scaling with conviction and understanding of local markets,” Zelter added.
Apollo reported an increase in its Asia Pacific workforce from 80 to more than 150 professionals since 2022. The firm said it originated more than $11 billion over the past 12 months in the region, which was more than ten times higher than the amount originated in 2020. Its retirement services business, Athene, has reinsured nearly $19 billion in policy value to date in Asia Pacific.
As of June 30, 2025, Apollo reported approximately $840 billion in assets under management across its global operations.
What is your view on Apollo’s leadership change in Asia Pacific and its strategy in the region? Share your thoughts in the comments.
