As we transition to the new sense of normality, or better said as this “sense” becomes normal I can only remark 2021 for having been fundamental in its role in favor of this transition. While in general it has been a rather interesting year for the continuation of the change started by 2020, it can also be said that 2021 has been rather overly conservative and by all means very stable, perhaps rather uneventful which is actually quite fine in perspective of all that has been rather otherwise different in the preceding year.

Another year mainly devoted to working from home has seen me growing teams and companies in other countries, out of which the main highlight can be given to the entry of my companies to the European Union. This has been a long-awaited next step in professional development that I quite possibly owed to myself. Perhaps in my quest to reconnect with some of my roots this has always been a goal patiently waiting in my horizon. Together with this expansion I have found new talent committed to helping the good cause of bringing good advertising and strategic thinking to yet another region that in turn closes the circle of having a company presence in every major market on earth.

Along the way and while my companies expanded, I must remark the outstanding performance of all members of my team in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam. New Zealand, Spain and the US for truly integrating themselves into the dynamics of what this new world expects us all to do. With a great level of leadership and communication exercised at an equal plain field we have all contributed to the development of the Adrian Roche Co., Ltd brand in ways not previously seen. For this I am very grateful.

Beyond the professional side, on the personal side of life this has been another year that has brought me closer to my wife and daughters. In many respects by this being the first year in the last ten I have not left Japan for any reason has greatly contributed to this fact. Along the way having rediscovered the passion for driving again created many opportunities for relaxation within Japan that for many years I have quite possibly neglected.
As I discovered new places and shared new emotions at the family level, a new sense of belonging propelled me forward and more deeply into the ever-strengthening reality of why I call Japan home.

In this journey of life and as life accelerates its pace with every passing year, I find myself once again looking ahead to all there is to come in the Adrian Roche book of life as I get ready to write another chapter in the coming year.