Forward Corporation Acquires Talent Recruitment Business from PORT, Welcoming CEO Minato

Strategic Acquisition by Forward Corporation

Forward Corporation, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has announced the acquisition of the executive recruitment business from PORT, a company specializing in high-level talent placement. This strategic move is set to leverage AI technology, particularly through their service, Ace Job, which aims to streamline the recruitment process and match candidates with the best-fit opportunities.

Overview of the Business Transfer

The acquisition involves the recruitment business of PORT, which has established itself in talent acquisition for private equity firms, venture capitalists, and hands-on consulting within the executive search space. The business transfer will be effective from July 1, 2026, and it marks a significant expansion for Forward as they now delve deeper into the high-level recruitment market.

Insights into PORT

Founded on the motto of aligning closely with their clients’ management needs, PORT has excelled in understanding the unique potentials of each candidate it represents. Under the leadership of CEO Yui Minato, who has a rich background in HR start-ups and recruitment, PORT has created a niche in the market, fostering long-term relationships with clients even beyond the hiring process. Minato’s journey transitioned from being a top salesperson in the foreign insurance industry to establishing PORT, driven by a desire to support ideal career paths for candidates.

Forward’s Future Plans

The acquisition is expected to broaden Forward’s reach into executive-level recruitment and artificial intelligence-driven hiring solutions. Forward has focused on mid-career placements and optimizing scouting through generative AI technologies, but entering the executive market comes with its own set of challenges, such as:

- A limited candidate pool that complicates market formation.
- Highly individualized criteria for candidates, requiring personalized approaches.
- A demand for building long-term relationships rather than just short-term placements.
- The need for a stable business structure beyond success fees.

By integrating Minato's expertise in high-tier talent acquisition with their existing framework, Forward aims to develop a robust organization dedicated to executive recruitment while also launching an AI recruitment service tailored for the high-level market.

Integration of AI and Expert Recruitment

The merger of AI technology from Ace Job with expert recruitment strategies will create an innovative model tailored for executive candidates. This hybrid approach promises to enhance the effectiveness of recruitment efforts, employing advanced capabilities in candidate analysis and matchmaking.

Establishing a Strong Market Position

Moving forward, Forward is committed to enhancing its presence in the executive talent market as a united entity. The goal is to build a long-term customer base while establishing a firm foothold for the newly formed organization that focuses on high-level talent and AI in recruitment.

Remarks from Leaders

Kazuhira Nagoya, CEO of Forward Corporation, highlighted the company's dedication to freeing global talent through AI-enhanced recruitment, stating, "With Minato's in-depth understanding of the high-level talent landscape and personalized candidate engagement, we expect to achieve significant outcomes for our clients."

Yui Minato remarked on the importance of the values of listening and empathy in career support, expressing excitement about advancing these principles within the Forward environment. Minato aims to utilize her established network to enable more candidates in executive and AI roles to fulfill their career aspirations.

Contact Information

For further inquiries regarding this merger, please reach out to the Forward Corporation's public relations and alliance department at [email protected].

Official Websites:
Forward Official Site
Ace Job Service Site
Ace Job Contact Form
Forward Contact Form