Meet Our Leaders

As Group Commercial Manager, Alex is responsible for developing, refining, and implementing Drake Business Services Asia’s extensive suite of solutions throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, he ensures that all processes and frameworks are standardised across each country and aligned with industry best practice.

His career spans over ten years of expertise across bid management, proposal development, marketing, process improvement, and commercial modelling.

Further, Alex holds nearly a decade of experience within the Drake Group, commencing his career in Melbourne with Drake International before transferring to the Drake Business Services Asia group in Japan.

Based in Tokyo, Alex works closely with the Drake Business Services Asia management team throughout each region to improve business practices and develop impactful client solutions that deliver efficiency and value for money.

As Group Marketing Manager, Kate leads the development and execution of the group’s marketing strategy, overseeing a dynamic team to ensure seamless delivery of initiatives aligned with regional business objectives, budgets, and timelines.

With over 15 years of global experience spanning multiple industries, Kate brings a wealth of expertise in both digital and traditional marketing. Her broad skill set enables her to drive strategic marketing initiatives that not only fuel business growth but also enhance brand visibility and market positioning. She is particularly passionate about fostering an environment where creativity thrives and every team member has the tools and confidence to contribute to the company’s success.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Kate is focused on driving business success across all APAC markets, adapting strategies to local needs while ensuring global consistency. Beyond performance metrics, she is committed to positioning the company as an workplace of choice, enhancing recruitment efforts, and nurturing a positive, inclusive workplace culture where team members feel valued and empowered to grow within their roles.

Aoi is in charge of managing all Vaco Japan vendor teams at Google in APAC, with a focus on Japan and Korea, overseeing multiple verticals. Her key responsibilities include HR management, recruitment, stakeholder communication, data and performance analysis, process automation, and business development. Aoi is committed to fostering a supportive and high-performing work environment while driving operational efficiency.

With extensive experience in recruitment, Aoi has worked with luxury brands and major firms, including Big 4 companies. She is dedicated to building strong stakeholder relationships and fostering team cohesion.

Aoi spent five years in Vancouver, Canada, where she completed her education before returning to Japan. Outside of work, she is passionate about traditional Japanese culture and holds certifications in both tea ceremony (Sadou) and flower arrangement (Kadou).

With over 20 years of diverse experience across multinational companies, Yumi has had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of operations, from office relocations to equipment management, and everything in between. Her career has been a blend of human resources, general affairs, finance, and even entrepreneurship, providing her with a unique perspective on how businesses operate and thrive.

Prior to joining Drake Business Services Asia, she served as a Recruiting Coordinator and Sourcer at Korn Ferry, where she focused on identifying and acquiring top-tier talent to meet the needs of global organizations. Prior to that, she advanced her skills in general affairs and HR at several leading companies where she supported senior leadership and managed key operational functions across finance, HR, and administration.

After spending several years working in the financial sector, she made a bold move to follow her passion for cooking and opened up her own restaurant. For over a decade, she managed every aspect of the business, from cooking to customer service, which taught her invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and the art of hospitality.

As a teenager, she spent many years studying in England, broadening her views and perspectives, and shaping her approach to work and life.

In her current role as an HR/Finance Specialist at DBSA, she supports operational efficiencies and helps to drive business success.

Outside of work, Yumi is an avid cook, music lover, and animal enthusiast. Her 15-year-old cat, Mocaco, is always by her side, and she cherishes the time she spends with family and friends.