Jake Astor

Jake Astor is a private-capital operator and investor best known for his long tenure with Cassia Investments, a Hong Kong-based consumer-focused private equity firm investing in lower middle-market companies across Greater China and Southeast Asia. APIC lists him as Principal at Cassia Investments and a member of its Investment Committee, with investment, deal origination, and management experience.

Before Cassia, Astor was a Senior Manager at First Eastern Investment Group in Hong Kong, where he originated, executed, and monitored growth-capital investments in China and Asia. APIC says he helped establish the FE UK China Fund, which invested in UK companies and supported their expansion into China and Asia. Earlier, he worked at GSC Group as an analyst for a mezzanine debt fund, at Canaccord Adams from 2004 as an equity sales trader focused on natural resources and internet sectors, and at Monitor Group in London.

Astor’s education includes Eton College, a BA Honours degree from the University of Oxford, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. APIC also lists him as a board member of Hokkaido Dairy Farm, Killine Group, and Eco&More.

In May 2026, Themis announced Astor as Managing Director for the UK & Europe, based in London. Themis said he would lead growth, strategy, and senior client relationships across the region, initially focused on private credit and the broader private-capital ecosystem. Themis described his prior role as Partner at J Goodwin & Co, advising later-stage technology companies on strategy, capital raising, and M&A.

• Cassia’s stated strategy is to invest in consumer-focused lower middle-market companies across Asia-Pacific, especially Greater China and Southeast Asia.
• Cassia looks for “strong growth prospects, proven business models and defendable market positioning,” and emphasizes partnering with strong management teams that share the firm’s “values, vision and strategy.”
• Astor’s career points to a cross-border expansion angle: First Eastern focused on helping UK companies expand into China and Asia, while Cassia backed consumer brands with Asia-Pacific growth potential.
• Sector fit appears strongest in consumer, food and beverage, apparel/accessories, health and wellness, fitness, lifestyle products, and e-commerce.
• Current Themis work is not venture investing but is relevant for private-capital founders and funds: Astor focuses on private credit, private capital, diligence, financial-crime risk, and institutional client relationships.