David J. Semaya

Independent Board Director

David is Executive Chairman and Representative Director of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd. (SMTAM). He is an experienced senior executive, CEO and Board Director with deep knowledge of Asia, Europe and the US. David's focus is on innovation and developing human capital across complex cultures and business models. He has a strong track record of strategically leading, growing and restructuring both scale businesses and new ventures in regulated environments including Banking, Asset Management, Real Estate, Pensions, Insurance and Wealth Management.

Prior to SMTAM, David served as Executive Chairman of Nikko Asset Management in London and Tokyo, CEO of UK and Ireland Wealth Management at Barclays plc, Chairman of Barclays Asset Management Ltd. and CEO of Barclays Global Investors (now BlackRock) Europe and Asia.

Until 2004, David was with Merrill Lynch in a variety of executive leadership positions in both asset management and investment banking in New York and Tokyo.

David currently serves as Chairman of the ICI Pacific Policy Council and is a former Trustee Director for one of Europe’s largest pension funds and Board Director of the Investment Association and the Wealth Management Association (UK).

David holds a BA from the University of Florida, an MA in education from Temple University and has completed the Stanford/NUS Executive Program in International Management. He is a dual US/UK national and is fluent in Japanese.