2025-2026 BCCJ Executive Committee Election
On 27 March, the application period for the 2025-2026 BCCJ Executive Committee (Excom) and President closed. This year, 23 candidates are competing for 15 Excom seats.
Excom should represent an appropriate balance of members of the business community with specific skills and experiences that will benefit the BCCJ and its membership at large.
TIMELINE
Who is standing for election?
The following 23 candidates, listed in alphabetical order of first names, have confirmed their willingness to serve on the 2025-2026 BCCJ Executive Committee. *New candidates applying are bolded.
- Akiko Otake | Herofinder Ltd, Founder-CEO
- Benjamin Cordier | RGF Executive Search Japan, Senior Director
- Dominic Sharman | Baker & McKenzie, Partner
- Harry Lloyd-Gardner | Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, KPMG, Senior Associate
- Heather Prosser | FGS Global, Managing Director
- Helen Iwata | Sasuga Communications K. K, President
- James Nepaulsingh | Individual Member
- Junko Kubokawa | Individual Member
- Keith Thomas | EY Japan, Associate Partner
- Ken Katayama | Individual Member
- Kentaro Kiso | Barclays Securities Japan Limited, President and Representative Director
- Maria Rajabali | M&A and International tax, PwC, Senior Manager
- Mark Dytham MBE | Klein Dytham architecture, Founder
- Neil Newman | Head of Strategy, Astris Advisory Japan KK, Managing Director
- Nicola Vote | Individual Member
- Nora Yamada | The British School in Tokyo, Assistant Headteacher
- Peter Harris | Clifford Chance, Partner
- Rachna Ratra | Robert Walters Japan, Managing Director
- Richard Lyle | Intralink KK, Deputy Managing Director & Head of Government Services
- Robert Peer | BAE Systems, President
- Robert Williams | AP Advisers Ltd, Executive Investment Adviser
- Simon Collins | Individual Member
- Vivian Tokai | Individual Member
Of the above, Richard Lyle has indicated his willingness to serve for one year as President of the Chamber and Chair of the Executive Committee. Richard qualifies for, and is therefore proposed to serve as FY2025-2026 BCCJ President, conditional to his being elected onto Excom.
BCCJ 2025-2026 Executive Committee Election Booklet
Read the BCCJ 2025-26 Executive Committee Election Booklet for the full list of candidates and their pledges to the BCCJ HERE
How are votes cast?
On Thursday, 3 April, eligible voters will have received an email with a unique link asking them to vote – anonymously and via a secure online voting platform – for the candidates they wish to represent the membership at Excom level in Chamber year 2025-2026.
The voting form is comprised of one section:
i) Excom Election: choose between 1-15 candidates (from 23 possible candidates) to be elected as Excom members.
We encourage all members with voting rights to exercise their right to vote.
BCCJ Nominated Representatives & Individual Members have 2 options available to submit their vote.
Electronic voting: On April 3, 1400, nominated representatives will have received an email containing a secure electronic voting link. If for any reason you think you should have received this email but have not, please email the BCCJ at [email protected]
Postal/Proxy Vote: If nominated representatives wish to vote by post or proxy, please email the BCCJ at [email protected] and a member of the Chamber team can email you the relevant form.
When are the results announced?
The results of the 2025-2026 Excom election will be announced at the BCCJ Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on 24 April in the presence of HM Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG. This event includes a buffet and drinks reception and is free for all BCCJ members (currently limited to one representative per company due to capacity).
BCCJ Annual General Meeting 2025 - Sign up if you have not already!
Timeline
18 FEBRUARY – 27 MARCH
Excom application period: Interested candidates can submit their application forms to BCCJ by following the guidelines below.3 APRIL – 18 APRIL
Excom election period: A candidate booklet will be published. BCCJ nominated representatives can vote for their preferred candidates for both Excom and President via an online poll, or by post/proxy.24 APRIL
BCCJ Annual General Meeting 2025: The newly elected 2025-2026 Excom and President will be announced.
Further reading
– The Excom election decides which members will steer the strategic direction of the BCCJ in Chamber year 2025-2026. Under the BCCJ Constitution, the Excom is run by a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 individuals.
– The application period for the BCCJ 2025-2026 Executive Committee (Excom) and Presidential elections opened on February 18. By the application deadline, 27 March, we had received 23 nominations that met constitutional guidelines.
– All Excom candidates have adhered to the same format in preparing campaign pledges of no more than 100 words for the election voting site. Beyond this, any campaigning or electioneering by candidates is not permitted.
Thank you in advance for your active participation in BCCJ Governance, and this year’s BCCJ Excom elections.