S4Capital doubles down on diversity with 2 board appointments

S4Capital has appointed Naoko Okumoto (pictured left) and Margaret Ma Connolly (pictured right) as the new non-executive directors to its board, effective immediately, to enhance governance and diversity at the fast-growing business. Following the appointments, S4Capital's board is now equally comprised of executive and non-executive directors and has a majority of female non-executives.

Okumoto is the CEO and managing partner of Amber Bridge Partners, a strategic investment and consulting firm specialising in cross-border business development, investment and operations between the US and Asia Pacific. She also serves as partner and executive adviser to Z Corporation, a blockchain-focused fund owned by Z Holdings Corporation previously known as Yahoo Japan. Before that, she was an executive VP and board member at N.Avenue, part of Z Corporation, and an executive VP and board member for CoinDesk Japan. She was also a founding partner at World Innovation Lab, a global VC firm, and has worked as VP of international product and business management at Yahoo Inc.

“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," Okumoto said.

Meanwhile, Connolly is CEO, 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. She joined UBM in 2008 as MD, China and VP, 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 GM of TNT Express Worldwide, based in Shanghai, and assistant GM of Global Sources. She also held senior leadership positions in various technology and media companies in US and China.

“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," Connolly added.

Sir Martin Sorrell, executive chairman of S4 Capital, said both ladies add Silicon Valley and Chinese know how and wisdom, which are two critically important areas of expertise for S4Capital’s future. They will help to strengthen its 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, he said.

"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.  I’m delighted that these two talented individuals will be bringing their unique expertise to our board and welcome them to the company," Sorrell added.