In a new demonstration of East-West financial collaboration, Japan’s Dai-ichi Life has finalized an $8 billion strategic alliance with UK-based M&G plc, acquiring a 15% equity stake to establish one of the most forward-looking partnerships in global asset management.
The partnership creates a reciprocal investment structure, with Dai-ichi committing $6 billion to M&G’s actively managed funds, while M&G allocates $2 billion in tailored asset management solutions to Asian markets. The collaboration also aims to jointly develop branded investment products and generate enduring value across the insurance and financial sectors.
The deal establishes M&G as Dai-ichi’s go-to partner for European investment activity while helping M&G scale its business in Asia, especially in Japan, where barriers to entry are high without a local presence.
M&G’s CEO Andrea Rossi described the partnership as “a new chapter in global asset innovation,” while Dai-ichi’s Tetsuya Kikuta emphasized mutual growth and international competitiveness.
The collaboration also includes board representation for Dai-ichi, a two-year lock-up period, and limitations on future share acquisitions to preserve strategic balance.
Analysts note the deal as an “inflection point” in global finance, marking a shift in how insurers and asset managers collaborate to navigate inflation, market volatility, and regulatory shifts.
