Daily Update: NTT DATA Names New CEO; DYWIDAG Acquires Interspan; Ignite Proteomics Advances $150M Public Market Deal

Kazuhiko Nakayama

NTT DATA APPOINTS KAZUHIKO NAKAYAMA AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

NTT DATA, a global player in AI, digital business and technology services, Thursday said it has appointed Kazuhiko Nakayama as NTT DATA Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 12, 2026. Yutaka Sasaki, former President and CEO of NTT DATA Group, will assume the role of Senior Executive Vice President of NTT, effective June 18.

Serving most recently as CFO of NTT DATA Group, Nakayama brings leadership and a depth of expertise and experience in defining business strategy and delivering growth. He will continue to strengthen the competitive advantages of the $30+ billion business whilst accelerating it’s AI-centered growth strategy across the 70+ countries and regions in which it operates.

NTT DATA Group’s growth strategy will focus on two key areas alongside its core business operations: AI‑empowered New Value & Productivity; and Next‑Generation Infrastructure. 

Nakayama began his career at NTT in 1989 and has since made significant contributions to NTT DOCOMO, NTT EAST, and NTT Communications. He was appointed to the role of CFO of NTT DATA Group in 2023. Prior to that role, Nakayama was Senior Vice President & Head of Finance and Accounting at NTT. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Tokyo.

Kazuhiko Nakayama, President and CEO of NTT DATA Group commented: “Over the past three years I have had the honour of working closely with Mr Sasaki and the leadership team on a strategic course that has established NTT DATA among the top five IT services businesses globally. That experience has reinforced my conviction in the strength of our offering, the quality of our people and the size of the opportunity ahead. As I take on the responsibilities of CEO and lead the growth of the NTT DATA Group going forward, I feel a deep sense of dedication, possibility and excitement.”

Yutaka Sasaki, outgoing President and CEO, NTT DATA Group, and Senior Executive Vice President of NTT, Inc. Elect commented: “The appointment of Mr Nakayama as President and Chief Executive Officer follows a thoughtful and carefully planned succession process. Under the leadership of Mr Nakayama, NTT DATA Group will embark on a new management structure. NTT DATA Group stands at the very core of the NTT Group and serves as its growth engine. Under Mr Nakayama’s renewed growth strategy, I look forward to seeing continued strength in performance and a commitment to achieving quality growth together as One NTT DATA.”

AUSTRALIA-BASED INTERSPAN ACQUIRED BY DYWIDAG GROUP

DYWIDAG Group, a global provider of geotechnical products, post-tensioning services and stay-cable solution services, Thursday said it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Australia-based Interspan Holdings, a provider of post-tensioning and concrete repair & strengthening services in Australia, UK and Europe.

The transaction is expected to close in July 2026. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. 

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Sydney (Australia), Interspan employs more than 400 people, has annual revenues of 75 million Euros and relationships with contractors in Australia and some of the largest players globally. It is a vertically integrated specialist engineering and construction business that provides post-tensioning, structural strengthening, and remediation solutions for new and existing concrete structures, with engineering, design, and installation delivered in-house.

The founders of Interspan, Don Fraser and James Laws, will remain with the business post-completion in order to ensure a smooth transition and deliver on the strategic growth initiatives of the combined group.

“The transaction is a highly significant milestone for DYWIDAG and will create an international market player in the provision of its core services which had combined revenues of 465 million euros as of end March 2026 with 10%+ EBITDA margins,” the company said. 

DYWIDAG was advised by A&O Shearman LLP (legal counsel) and EY Parthenon (financial & tax due diligence advisor).  Interspan was advised by Greenstone Partners (corporate advisor), Mont Lawyers (legal counsel) and Magpie Advisory (tax advisor).

Hugh Pelham, CEO of DYWIDAG, commented: “Interspan is an exceptional business with a strong track record of customer satisfaction and financial performance. The combination of Interspan and DYWIDAG reinforces our position in the provision of post tensioning, stay-cable solutions, geotechnical products and specialist repair and strengthening solutions”

James Laws, Joint founder of Interspan, commented: “This transaction marks an exciting new chapter for Interspan. DYWIDAG is a global player and we see a clear strategic fit between our businesses. DYWIDAG’s international platform, technical capabilities and long-term investment mindset provide significant opportunities to accelerate Interspan’s growth in existing markets, expand into new markets and further enhance our offering to our clients.

COPLEY ACQUISITION AND IGNITE PROTEOMICS MERGE IN A $150 MILLION DEAL TO ADVANCE PRECISION ONCOLOGY

Copley Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company and Ignite Proteomics, a player in pathway-level protein analytics to guide precision oncology, said Friday they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement.

Upon the closing of the Combination, Copley and Ignite Proteomics will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a newly formed public holding company Ignite Proteomics Holdings and which will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

“We are thrilled to partner with the team at Ignite Proteomics,” said Chibo Tang, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Copley Acquisition Corp. “After an extensive search for a high-impact partner, it became clear that Ignite’s innovation represents a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat disease. We believe this transaction will provide Ignite with the runway and public platform required to deliver on its mission to revolutionize precision medicine.”

“This transaction represents an exceptionally disciplined entry point into the precision oncology sector,” said Francis Ng, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Copley Acquisition Corp. “At a $150 million pro forma enterprise value, we are bringing Ignite to the public markets.”

“Partnering with Copley marks a pivotal milestone for Ignite Proteomics,” said Jeffrey Busch, Chief Executive Officer of Ignite Proteomics. “This transaction validates the technology we have spent years developing and provides the financial backing to bring our solutions to a broader market. We are eager to enter this next chapter as a public company, focused on driving long-term value for our shareholders and, most importantly, for the researchers and patients who rely on advanced proteomics.”

The proposed Combination is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. 

Clear Street is acting as the financial advisor to Copley. Winston Taylor is acting as legal counsel to Copley. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. is acting as the financial advisor to Ignite Proteomics. Meister Seelig & Schuster is acting as legal counsel to Ignite Proteomics.

Ignite’s current commercial focus is in breast cancer, with a broader development strategy intended to support future expansion into additional tumor types, therapeutic classes and data-driven clinical applications.