Attributes
We distinguish ourselves from other firms by our senior banker coverage and our extensive experience in cross-border transactions. We are M&A advisors passionate about innovation, pursuing excellence and positive thinking. We relish challenging situations and mobilise our network of contacts to deliver creative solutions to our clients.
The firm benefits from its wide-ranging experience in deal origination and execution in both Japan and abroad, notably Europe and Asia. It is able to participate in transactions of most sizes, including small to medium scale deals.
Network
Over the years, Crimson Phoenix has developed close relationships with a number of leading industrialists, entrepreneurs, financiers, investment professionals, consultants and government officials in Japan and abroad. We regularly work with a number of specialists with specific skills in executing our engagements to augment our own team where necessary.
We are a member firm of the Infinita M&A Alliance, a network of like-minded M&A advisors in Asia, Europe and the USA, with whom we regularly work with them on a sector- or project-specific basis. We are also well acquainted with other firms in other markets. Crimson Phoenix utilise these relationships to provide the best teams to suit clients’ needs.
Our team of M&A advisors

Yuuichiro Nakajima
Yuuichiro Nakajima founded Crimson Phoenix in 2003. He has a deep understanding of transitions in both Japan and the UK and experience of working on deals in other parts of the world, especially Asia. He has a deep understanding of transactions in other parts of the world, including the USA, South Africa and Asia.
In addition to his corporate finance work, Yuuichiro has regularly been interviewed by European and Asian broadcast media, most notably the BBC and NHK, on Japanese business, economic, financial and political issues.
Yuuichiro’s other current positions include:
- Japan H.L. Limited: Non-executive Director and Chairman
- Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC: Non-executive Director (effective January 2024)
Yuuichiro started his working life at the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund in Tokyo in 1982, following which he worked at S.G.Warburg (London/Tokyo), Crosby Corporate Advisory (London), PricewaterhouseCoopers (London/Tokyo) and Business Development Asia (Tokyo).
Yuuichiro Nakajima was educated at Keio University, Tokyo, and London Business School. He is equally fluent in Japanese and English.

Nicholas Jefcoat
Nicholas Jefcoat has 40 years of experience in international finance, working in London, Paris, Tokyo (for 10 years) and Frankfurt (25 years), where he is currently based.
Nick started his banking career in 1977 with Lloyds Bank International in London, moving in 1984 to merchant/investment banking at Kleinwort Benson, Robert Fleming and JPMorgan Chase, before spending three years in private wealth management at JPMorgan Private Bank.
From 2005 until December 2015, he was a Frankfurt-based senior corporate banker, managing global relationships with major corporations, first at Barclays Capital and, latterly, as Managing Director in business development and a member of the General Management Board, at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Nick is Chairman of the Board at the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft Rhein-Main e.V. He holds an MA in modern languages from Oxford University, and besides his native English, speaks fluent German, French and Japanese.

Ryohei Shimazaki
Ryohei Shimazaki has had a broad exposure to Japanese and Asian business through his varied financial services career.
Ryohei was CEO/President of BNP Paribas Investment Partners Japan Ltd., ran Baring Asset Management (Japan) Limited, was involved in General Electric Japan’s acquisition and strategic alliance activities and advised clients on M&A transactions at Jardine Fleming and Baring Brothers/ING Baring. At Japaninvest Group plc he led its efforts to list its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and was also a Senior Donor Relations Officer at the World Food Programme.
He now heads K.K. Koosha, is a board director at Cuorips Inc. and teaches MBA courses at the University of Wales. He was educated at Keio University and the University of Cambridge.

鶏口となるも牛後となる勿れ Better to be a chicken’s mouth than a bull’s backside.
"It's better to be first in a village than second in Rome."


鶏口となるも牛後となる勿れ Better to be a chicken’s mouth than a bull’s backside.
"It's better to be first in a village than second in Rome."