Howden builds out Asian M&A team with 12 regional hires across three countries to supercharge global capability
- Investment in talent underlines continued execution of strategy to create a global powerhouse in M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) insurance
- Hires in Asia follow the acquisition of Atlantic Group in the US, combined with Howden’s existing capability as the largest international M&A insurance broker with a long-established strength in Europe
- Howden’s global M&A headcount of 300+ creates a powerful, international solution for clients’ most complex insurance needs
Singapore, 18 March 2026 – Howden today announces the significant expansion of its M&A insurance solutions capability in Asia, with 12 new appointments across three countries in the region. This investment in talent reflects the group’s strategic ambition to create a global powerhouse in M&A insurance solutions and position itself as the broker of choice for this expanding market.
M&A insurance and risk transfer solutions facilitate M&A transactions, allowing for smoother negotiations, higher transaction certainty and protection against potential breaches of the provided warranties and indemnities. These solutions typically include products such as Warranty & Indemnity (W&I), Tax and Litigation & Contingent Risk insurance.
Joining the existing M&A team of eight, based in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan are a further 12 regional appointments across Asia, including:
Singapore: Xianwei Lee as Head of M&A, Asia, Adrian Chai as Head of W&I, Asia as well as Head of M&A, South-East Asia, Eugene Lim as Head of Tax, Asia, Cathryn Neo as Head of Litigation & Contingent Risk, Asia as well as Head of M&A Claims, Asia, Blossom Lim as Senior Director, Jamie Wan as Senior Director,Mark Wong as Associate Director, Natalie Worthington as Senior Associate, Tax, and Janice Jiang as Associate.
Greater China: Chen Jianhua as Director and Rosy Wang as Associate Director
Japan: Shunsuke Takechi as Head of M&A, Japan
Howden’s M&A team consists of 300+ dedicated M&A practitioners across 20 countries globally, making it one of the largest M&A insurance brokers by headcount, and includes the 100+ employees from its recent acquisition of Atlantic Group. The team have backgrounds in law, banking, investment management, tax & corporate advisory.
This announcement follows the news earlier this month of two senior appointments to Howden’s Global Financial Sponsors team – Emily Almond and Sebastiano Doria - to enhance its capability to serve private capital sector clients.
Rohan Bhappu, CEO, Howden Asia comments: “Deal volumes continue to be robust with transactions getting increasingly complex with higher level of associated risk. Buyers in the region are actively turning to M&A insurance to de-risk transactions. To support our clients evolving risk needs we have put together a team with the deepest expertise and strong track records that will provide differentiated solutions for clients across Asia requiring best-in-class transactional liability advice and protection.”
Xianwei Lee, Head of M&A, Howden Asia says: “The M&A insurance market is vital for protecting as well as facilitating deals, providing liquidity to investors and optimising balance sheets to reduce capital constraints. We are thrilled that this team of talented individuals has chosen to join us to provide clients across Asia, and globally, with the right strategic advice and guidance on legal, financial and tax diligence ahead of what we anticipate to be a busy year ahead for M&A transactions.”
Drew Wardrope, CEO, Howden Capital, Advisory & Placement, added: “Notwithstanding the current conflict in the Middle East, with over US$1.6 trillion of private equity dry powder and a strong pipeline of assets primed for monetisation, current market conditions herald robust M&A activity. We have therefore positioned ourselves with the best talent in the market across the US, Europe and Asia for multinational clients with the capability to deliver innovative solutions that underpin their most complex transactions.”