Howden attracts ‘leading non-industry talent’ from rival WTW

Re/insurance broker  Howden has recruited a  WTW executive director with extensive legal experience in London to join Howden CAP’s team of solicitors advising on the evolving legal and regulatory frameworks as it expands in the structured finance area.

Lee Hitge (pictured) has been appointed as an executive director, Howden CAP – the broker’s capital, advisory and placement business.

An admitted attorney in South Africa and a solicitor of the courts of England and Wales, Hitge joins Howden CAP from the financial solutions structuring team at WTW, where she held the position of executive director for the last four years. Prior to WTW, Hitge worked as a senior transactional support lawyer in investment banking, most notably for eight years at The Standard Bank of South Africa.

Hitge has experience in both investment banking and credit insurance. The broker believes her technical skills in structuring, negotiating and documenting credit risk insurance in the context of complex structured finance transactions will be crucial as Howden CAP looks to expand and evolve in this area. Hitge also regularly participates in numerous industry innovation project groups and is passionate about driving advancement in the industry.

At Howden CAP, Hitge will assist in the development of sophisticated capital management and insurance solutions, including solutions around the distribution of insured loan assets via repacks and portfolio risk transfer.

Mary O’Connor, chief executive officer, Howden CAP said: “With Lee’s appointment, Howden CAP continues to build an experienced and dynamic team, which will enable us to deliver exceptional service to our clients. It also demonstrates our ability to attract leading non-industry talent which is crucial as we look ahead to the unparalleled opportunities emerging in the current market. With extensive legal experience, Lee will be instrumental in advancing our already impressive capabilities. I am very pleased to welcome her to the team.”

Hitge, executive director, credit and political risks, added: “I am delighted to be joining the influential and talented team at Howden CAP. It is an exciting prospect to be working in a ‘people first’ business and I look forward to being an integral and trusted advisor to stakeholders both internally and externally.”

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