Meet the Managers

Joe Bauernfreund is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Asset Value Investors. He is the manager of AVI Global Trust and AVI Japan Opportunity Trust and responsible for all investment decisions across AVI’s strategies. Joe has over 24 years’ experience in the finance industry.

Before joining AVI in 2002, Joe worked six years for a real estate investment organisation in London. He has a Masters in Finance from the London Business School.

Tom joined AVI in February 2011. He works closely with the analyst team providing support and guidance on prospective and current investments across the portfolio, in addition to taking responsibility for all investments in closed-end funds.
Tom spent nine years working for Fundamental Data/Morningstar in various roles involving closed-end fund analysis. He has a degree in Economics from the University of Leicester.

Scott joined AVI in October 2005. He researches real estate-backed opportunities and Asian holding companies.
Before joining AVI, Scott spent two years as an investment analyst with Fundamental Data undertaking quantitative analysis. He has a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Kent, Canterbury.

Daniel joined AVI in February 2015. He focuses on researching Japanese companies.

Before joining AVI, Daniel completed internships at Pamplona Capital Management and Mercer. He has passed all three levels of the CFA exam. He graduated with a First Class Honours in Physics from the University of Bristol.

Wilfrid joined AVI in January 2018.  He researches global holding companies and asset-backed special situations.

Before joining AVI, Wilfrid completed internships at Sanderson Asset Management, Guinness Asset Management and Oldfield Partners.  Wilfrid has a BSc in Social Policy from the London School of Economics.

Jason joined AVI in April 2020. He works closely with the analyst team and leads on the engagement efforts in Japan. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, working for and engaging with global companies, government bodies, regulators and international investors including Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, First Trust Advisors and Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Jason has a BSc in economics from the London School of Economics & Political Science (University of London).

Ross joined AVI in June 2020. He researches global holding companies and provides support to the investment team.

Before joining AVI, Ross completed a one year programme at Nomura on a UK M&A Investment Banking Industrial Placement. Ross has a BSc in Economics from the University of Bath.

Makiko joined AVI in January 2021 from Goldman Sachs, where she was a member of the Advisory Group in the Investment Banking Division in Tokyo.  She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Tokyo.

Kaz Sakai has been working with AVI since May 2020 and joined AVI’s investment team full-time in June 2021. Kaz previously worked at as an Engagement Manger at McKinsey & Company and an RTS Practice Associate in Melbourne. Kaz also gained valuable experience at a private equity firm in Tokyo from 2016-2018. He holds a B.S. in Geochemistry from the University of Tokyo and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

William joined AVI in October 2021.  He researches global holding companies and provides support to the investment team.

Before joining AVI, William completed internships at Passion Capital and Aravis Capital.  William has a BSc in Economics & Finance from Newcastle University and an MSc with Distinction in Investment Management from Bayes (formally Cass) Business School.

Esme joined AVI in February 2021.  She focuses on ESG research and supports its integration throughout the investment process.

Before joining AVI, Esme graduated with a First Class Honours degree in International Relations and French from the University of Sussex, putting these skills to practical use helping on the ground in Greece with the migrant crisis.