Apollo appoints new APAC head with deep regional legacy

Key Takeaways

Geography: Japan, Singapore.

Analysis

Apollo Global Management has appointed Eiji Ueda, former Chief Investment Officer of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), as Partner and Head of Asia-Pacific. He replaces Matt Michelini, who will stay during a transition period before taking on broader leadership responsibilities in 2026.

Ueda’s appointment reinforces Apollo’s expansion in the region. Over the past 12 months, the firm has raised over US$10 billion from Asia-Pacific institutional investors.

At GPIF, Ueda led a significant portfolio restructuring focused on both foreign and domestic equities. His earlier experience includes nearly 30 years at Goldman Sachs, where he held senior roles such as Co-Head of Asia Securities and head of fixed income, currency, and commodities trading in Japan.

Matt Michelini, whom Ueda succeeds, has had a major impact on Apollo’s growth in Asia-Pacific. Since becoming regional head in 2022, he oversaw a 76% increase in APAC staff (excluding India) and helped scale Apollo’s offices across Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Michelini joined Apollo in 2006 and played key roles in launching and expanding strategic platforms including Athene, Hybrid Value, and the firm’s Natural Resources and Financials Group initiatives. He also served on boards of companies such as Athene Holding Ltd., Venerable Holdings, and Warrior Met Coal.

Under Michelini’s leadership, Apollo launched a dedicated Asia-Pacific Credit Strategy, secured anchor investors like Hostplus, and advanced the firm’s presence as a leading provider of private capital solutions across Asia.

With Eiji Ueda now leading the region, Apollo is poised to further expand its APAC influence by combining institutional leadership with an already strong regional platform.