London — More than a third of infrastructure private equity portfolios have faced significant disruption from cybersecurity, sustainability, regulatory, or geopolitical risks in the past three years, according to the 2025 Investor Sentiment Report: Forces of Change, released today by corporate intelligence and cybersecurity consultancy S-RM.
The report reveals a shifting landscape for investors, with 72% acknowledging the growing importance of non-financial risks in investment decision-making. Among the most common threats to portfolio companies are cybersecurity (58%), sustainability (38%), and regulatory instability (38%) — all of which have become increasingly influential across the deal cycle.
Regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty were both cited as major contributors to deal failure — at 60% and 59%, respectively — trailing only cybersecurity at 67%. They also rank among the top three risks affecting exit value, underscoring how volatility in these domains now shapes performance from entry through divestment.
Despite these challenges, the study found that few investors proactively assess or stress-test such risks. Only 17% use scenario mapping or political stress-testing, while 18% monitor political sentiment during transactions.
S-RM’s Head of Corporate Intelligence for EMEA, Ian Massey, said:
“Investors are having to adapt to novel risks in a rapidly changing environment. We’re seeing geopolitical or regulatory factors shift mid-deal, trade routes disrupted overnight, and an ever-increasing focus on reputation and integrity. The link between effective risk management and value creation is stronger than ever.”
The report also points to cybersecurity as the fastest-growing area of concern, with 55% of respondents expecting it to worsen over the next three years. Emerging technologies such as generative AI introduce new vulnerabilities, from AI-enabled cyberattacks to synthetic media and deepfakes threatening reputational damage.
Massey added:
“Competitive advantage in dealmaking will come from foresight. Scenario planning and stress-testing assumptions are becoming as fundamental as financial or operational due diligence.”
The full report — 2025 Investor Sentiment Report | Forces of Change: How deal teams can thrive in an age of instability — is available via S-RM’s official website.
Japan Elects First Female Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi Makes History
Tokyo — Japan has entered a new political era with Sanae Takaichi becoming the country’s first female prime minister, following a decisive parliamentary vote this week. The 63-year-old conservative politician’s victory marks a watershed moment in one of the world’s most male-dominated political systems.
A longtime member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi secured the premiership after winning a fiercely contested leadership election. Her rise has been hailed as a symbolic breakthrough for gender representation, even as Japan continues to rank among the lowest OECD nations for female political participation.
Known for her nationalist views and admiration for Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi has pledged to build a “strong and self-reliant Japan.” Her agenda emphasizes economic revitalization through innovation, a tougher national security posture, and defence spending exceeding the current 2% of GDP target.
A native of Nara Prefecture, Takaichi studied at Kobe University and began her political career in the early 1990s. Over three decades, she has served in multiple cabinet posts — including Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications — and played a key role in Japan’s digital infrastructure initiatives under former Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga.
Despite her historic ascent, Takaichi faces formidable challenges: a sluggish economy, deflationary pressures, and an ageing population that threatens fiscal sustainability. Externally, she must navigate regional security tensions with China and maintain Japan’s strategic alignment with the United States and G7 allies.
Takaichi’s leadership style — a blend of discipline, conviction, and individuality — has drawn both admiration and scrutiny. An avid Iron Maiden fan, she often cites the band’s creativity and perseverance as metaphors for political resilience.
While her premiership’s long-term impact remains uncertain, her election represents a turning point in Japan’s modern history — signaling both progress in representation and continuity in conservative governance.
