Associate

Howden M&A

Howden M&A advises clients on specialist insurance and risk solutions in connection with M&A transactions, disputes and portfolio matters across Asia. Our core solutions include warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance, tax liability insurance, and contingent and litigation risk insurance, together with insurance due diligence and other advisory support across cyber, credit, political risk and other financial lines.

The team comprises former M&A and disputes lawyers, tax and accounting professionals, and experienced insurance specialists.

The role will sit within Howden’s Asia M&A platform, with a particular focus on Japanese clients and inbound and outbound transactions involving Japanese businesses. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across Asia to support the origination and execution of regional opportunities, while helping to deepen Howden’s relationships with Japanese corporates, private equity sponsors, advisers and other market participants.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a specialist business advising on complex transactions and risk matters across Asia. The role offers hands-on experience across transaction execution, client engagement and business development, with scope to build technical and commercial capabilities as part of a regional team.

Role and ideal background

Howden is seeking an Associate to join its Asia M&A team. The role will support the execution of transactions, assist with client and market relationships, contribute to business development initiatives, and support the continued growth of the relevant country business and the wider Asia platform.

The ideal candidate should ideally:

• Be proactive, resourceful and commercially minded, with the ability to take responsibility for workstreams while collaborating effectively across jurisdictions and disciplines;
• Possess a sound understanding of M&A processes, transaction documents and key legal and commercial concepts, with a willingness to deepen that knowledge;
• Have approximately 3 - 5 years of experience in an M&A-related field, ideally gained as an M&A lawyer at a leading law firm, although relevant experience in professional services, investment banking, private equity, insurance or another transaction-focused environment will also be considered;
• Have experience supporting M&A transactions or comparable complex, time-sensitive engagements with the ability to manage defined workstreams reliably and with appropriate guidance;
• Have the commercial awareness and relationship-management skills to support opportunities, engage confidently with stakeholders and contribute to business development;
• Have strong legal analysis and drafting skills, with sound judgement and close attention to detail and a willingness to learn;
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, advisers, insurers and colleagues, both in writing and in meetings and presentations;
• Be able to manage multiple live matters, work effectively under pressure and resolve issues constructively;
• Be fluent in Japanese and English, both written and spoken. Additional Asian language capability would be helpful but is not essential; and
• Be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Key responsibilities The responsibilities of the role will include:

• Supporting the placement of W&I insurance and other M&A-related insurance policies from initial engagement through policy inception, transaction closing and post-closing servicing. This includes reviewing transaction information, preparing submissions, obtaining and analysing insurer terms, supporting negotiating with insurers, presenting recommendations to clients and supporting the underwriting process;
• Supporting advice to existing clients and prospects on transaction risk solutions, including W&I, tax, litigation and contingent risk insurance, and assisting in identifying the most appropriate structure for each transaction;
• Supporting insurance due diligence for private equity, infrastructure and corporate clients, and project-managing engagements across cyber, credit, political risk, financial lines and portfolio value-creation solutions;
• Building effective relationships with W&I and other specialist underwriters, and developing a strong understanding of market appetite, pricing and coverage trends across Asia;
• Working with Howden colleagues across Asia and other business lines to support opportunity origination, coordinate cross-border execution and deliver a joined-up client proposition;
• Supporting the development and management of relationships with lawyers, investment banks, accounting firms, fund managers, private equity firms, corporates and other referral sources, and helping to convert opportunities into active mandates;
• Participating in client meetings, conferences, seminars and industry events to represent Howden, build market knowledge and support business development;
• Preparing high-quality presentations, proposals, articles, data and other collateral for business development and transaction-specific use; and
• Supporting the growth of the relevant country business and the wider Asia M&A platform, including market research, product development, new client segments and cross-selling opportunities across the wider Howden platform.

What we value

• A client-first mindset and the confidence to engage professionally with experienced legal, financial and investment professionals;
• A collaborative approach and willingness to learn from and contribute to colleagues across the regional team;
• Commercial curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for developing solutions in a fast-evolving market;
• High standards of integrity, teamwork and accountability; and
• An interest in building a long-term career in a specialist regional M&A business.