James Montgomery
Managing Director
- Group:Leadership Team
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
James Montgomery
Managing Director
‘Monty’ has been in the insurance market since 2011, initially with the law firm Kennedys and subsequently with QBE, underwriting Financial and Commercial Institution’s D&O, PI, Crime and BBB as well as M&A products. Monty graduated from the University of Leeds with a 2:1 BSc in Geography before completing his LLB at the College of Law. Monty joined Ryan Transactional Risk in March 2016.
George Pearce
Managing Director
- Group:Leadership Team
- Location:London
- Specialty:Contingent Risk (International), Warranty & Indemnity (International)
George Pearce
Managing Director
George started his career training at Norton Rose Fulbright and qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2013. George spent 3 years working in the corporate department, 6 years working at Norton Rose Fulbright, which included 3 successful secondments to Norton Rose Fulbright Paris, F&C Investment Management and Fenchurch Advisory Partners. Whilst at Norton Rose Fulbright, George advised on both private M&A, Equity Capital Market transactions and general corporate advisory work. George graduated from Hatfield College at Durham University and holds a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and completed his law degree at BPP. George joined Ryan Transactional Risk in March 2016.
Rich Stansfield
Managing Director
- Group:Leadership Team
- Location:London
- Specialty:Contingent Risk (International), Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Rich Stansfield
Managing Director
Rich started his career training at DLA Piper and qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales in 2011. Rich spent 7 years working for DLA Piper UK LLP, with 5 years as a solicitor in DLA Piper’s debt finance department. During Rich’s time, he also undertook 3 successful client secondments at UBS Investment Bank, HSBC Bank plc and Hayfin Capital Management LLP. Rich graduated from Sheffield University with a First-Class Bachelors of Arts in Politics and holds a First Class LLB from the College of Law. Rich joined Ryan Transactional Risk in November 2016.
Ellie Barnham
Technical Operations Lead
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Caroline Barry
Assistant Vice President & Counsel, RWI
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Caroline Barry
Assistant Vice President & Counsel, RWI
Caroline was an associate attorney at Ropes & Gray, with her practice focusing on private equity and M&A transactions. She is an attorney and a member of the New York Bar. Caroline received her J.D. cum laude from St. John’s University School of Law, and her B.A. in Philosophy magna cum laude from the University of Miami. During law school, she served as associate managing editor of the St. John’s Law Review. Caroline joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2023.
Marta Batalla
Co-Head of Continental Europe
- Location:Barcelona, Madrid
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Marta Batalla
Co-Head of Continental Europe
Marta is a Spanish qualified lawyer, member of the Bar Association of Barcelona (Spain) since October 2002, with 10+ years of professional experience as a corporate and M&A lawyer in some of the most reputable law firms. Marta started her career in the M&A-insurance market in 2014 and as one of the first underwriters dedicated to the Iberian market she highly contributed to the development and use of W&I Insurance in Spain and Portugal, and built up a solid reputation and successful portfolio. She joined Ryan Transactional Risk to launch the Continental-European platform and currently co-heads the European team being responsible for the underwriting, business development and expansion in all Continental European territories. Marta joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2019.
Christian Weiss Bruhn
Senior Underwriter
- Location:Copenhagen
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Christian Weiss Bruhn
Senior Underwriter
Christian started his career at Kromann Reumert in 2013, joining in the banking & finance department before moving to the department for corporate transactions and capital & financial markets. He then qualified as a Danish attorney-at-law in 2016. In 2019, Christian joined Accura’s banking & finance department, co-heading the investment funds and regulatory teams. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (BA.jur.) and a Master of Laws (Cand.jur.) from the University of Copenhagen as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Christian joined Ryan Transactional Risk in November 2022.
Chris Butler
Project Manager
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Chris Butler
Project Manager
Chris joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2024 as a Project Manager, having entered the London Market in 2016 as part of the Lloyd’s Graduate Scheme. Since then, he has worked at various MGAs and brokers within the Warranty & Indemnity space. Chris has worked on a variety of deals covering operational businesses, real estate, and renewables across multiple jurisdictions. Chris holds a 2:1 in Finance and Management Studies from Lancaster University.
Richard Campbell
Senior Claims Manager
- Location:London
- Specialty:Claims (International)
Richard Campbell
Senior Claims Manager
Richard qualified as a solicitor-advocate in England and Wales in 2016 and practiced advocacy across a broad range of commercial litigation prior to moving focus to the insurance market. He has managed claims across PI and D&O with delegated claims authority, and has most recently acted as an M&A claims broker working across the entire M&A market in supporting insured parties to achieve positive claims outcomes. Richard has a law degree (LLB), Graduate Diploma in Law, and Higher Rights of Audience in Civil courts across England and Wales. Richard Joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2024.
Barbara Cicero
Office Manager
- Location:Madrid
- Specialty:Operations
Barbara Cicero
Office Manager
Bárbara holds a degree in Marketing Management from the Universidad Tecnológica del Centro in Venezuela. She previously worked for as a Business Developer and Marketing Assistant in a Madrid-based headhunting company. She additionally gained experience in financial services as a Chargebacks Officer in Trust Payments and as an Administrative and Marketing Assistant in an Investment Bank in Panama. Bárbara speaks fluent Spanish, English and Italian and joined Ryan Transactional Risk in January 2024.
Martí Crespo
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Martí Crespo
Underwriter
Martí is a Spanish-qualified lawyer, with over 6 years of experience working as an M&A lawyer, particularly in the energy infrastructure sector, having developed his career mostly at DWF-RCD in Barcelona. He graduated from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona after having completed a year in Università degli studi di Trento in Italy, and he holds LL.M. degree in International Financial Law at King’s College London. Martí joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2021 as a W&I Underwriter, focusing on the Southern European markets. He is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.
Bradley Dempsey
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Rikard Ekman
Underwriter
- Location:Stockholm
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Michel Macedo Estrada
Tax Underwriter
- Location:Madrid
- Specialty:Tax Liability (International)
Michel Macedo Estrada
Tax Underwriter
Michel graduated from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Universidad Nebrija with a Bachelor of Laws in each of them and is a qualified lawyer, admitted to practice law in Spain and Mexico. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree (LLM) in Spanish taxation from Centro de Estudios Garrigues. He worked at Ashurst LLP for more than 5 years where he specialised in providing tax advice for a wide variety of clients in domestic and cross-border M&A and Real Estate transactions. Michel joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2023.
Connor Fitzpatrick
Associate Underwriter
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Jack Gilroy
Operations Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Operations
Rafa Giménez-Reyna
Senior Tax Underwriter
- Location:Madrid
- Specialty:Tax Liability (International)
Rafa Giménez-Reyna
Senior Tax Underwriter
Rafa graduated in Law and holds a BA from Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, including a 7 month stay in Università degli studi di Trieste in Italy. In addition, he holds a Masters’ degree (LLM) in Corporate Law from Centro de Estudios Garrigues in Madrid. He is a Spanish-qualified lawyer, admitted to the bar in Madrid in 2010 and specialising in tax M&A and real estate transactions. Rafa has more than 12 years of experience working at Clifford Chance, PwC and Allen&Overy, advising both buyer and seller-side transactions for a variety of clients, including international funds, private equity firms, corporations and financial institutions. Rafa joined Ryan Transactional Risk in July 2022 and has been underwriting risks in a wide range of jurisdictions.
Allison Goh
Operations Manager
- Location:Singapore
- Specialty:Operations
Allison Goh
Operations Manager
Allison has over 24 years experience in the insurance / reinsurance industry, and prior to joining the insurance industry, she worked in Accounting and Audit roles. She has experience across all aspects of technical administration, reporting and insurance operations. Most recently, Allison worked at Tokio Marine Kiln where she was responsible for managing the underwriting administration team that supported various business units including Aviation, Cargo, Cyber and Property. Allison joined Ryan Transactional Risk in October 2023.
Lawrence Gregory
Underwriter
- Location:Singapore
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Lawrence Gregory
Underwriter
Lawrence is a Singapore-qualified lawyer, with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Bristol. He started his career as an associate in the Corporate M&A team at Baker McKenzie, with a focus on cross-border M&A transactions and corporate reorganisations. Lawrence joined Ryan Transactional Risk in January 2024 as a W&I Underwriter.
Archie Hailes
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
James Harding
Project Manager
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Kristen Hoffman
Assistant Vice President
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Kristen Hoffman
Assistant Vice President
Kristen has experience across financial lines including D&O underwriting and product launch buildout in management liability, cyber and financial institutions as Ascot’s Director of Pricing. Kristen also has extensive experience in large account risk working as an actuary in excess casualty at AIG. Prior to insurance she worked for Teach For America and continues to be involved in education and mentoring. She has her ACAS designation, Master’s Degree in Actuarial Science from Columbia University and Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics & Spanish from the University of Florida. Kristen joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2023.
Isabel den Hollander
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Isabel den Hollander
Underwriter
Isabel is an M&A Underwriter at Ryan Transactional Risk, with a particular focus on the Benelux. Isabel started her career at Marsh in the Netherlands where she was responsible for the management of a selection of global client accounts. After moving to Spain, Isabel joined ANV where she worked as a junior M&A underwriter. Isabel graduated from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and holds a Masters’ degree in Insurance and Liability Law (LL.M). Isabel joined Ryan Transactional Risk in February 2019 and speaks fluent Dutch, English and Spanish.
Sam Hurst
Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Sam Hurst
Underwriter
Sam qualified as a solicitor at Hogan Lovells International LLP in 2017 before moving to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher UK LLP in 2021. He graduated from the University of Oxford (Wadham College) with a degree in Law. Sam joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2022 and underwrites W&I policies across a broad spectrum of operational transactions in the UK and Europe.
Brenda Jeknavorian
Senior Vice President, Head of Claims, North America
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Claims (North America)
Brenda Jeknavorian
Senior Vice President, Head of Claims, North America
Brenda obtained her JD from Boston University. She was an insurance defense litigator and thereafter focused her practice as an insurance coverage trial attorney at Alder Pollock & Sheehan, where she represented insurers in connection with a variety of complex coverage claims. Brenda subsequently assumed managerial and officer positions at The Hartford and then Liberty Mutual overseeing claim teams, ultimately serving as Vice President and Head of the E&O Claims Department. Brenda joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2016 overseeing claims reported under RWIU, Tax, OCL and litigation insurance policies.
Lois Johnson
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Lois Johnson
Underwriting Assistant
Lois graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2021 with a First-Class Honours in Criminology and Sociology and previously worked as an Insurance Technician for Howden Insurance brokers in the marine department. Lois joined Ryan Transactional Risk in August 2022.
Luke Jones
Project Manager
- Location:London
- Specialty:Claims (International), Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Luke Jones
Project Manager
Luke joined Ryan Transactional Risk in November 2019 as an Underwriting Assistant, having graduated from Bristol University with a 2:1 in Management. Since October 2022, he has been in the Underwriting team working as a Project Manager, involved in the underwriting of Warranty & Indemnity Insurance. Luke is also heavily involved in claims data analytics. He speaks English and Spanish.
Luc Joordens
Co-Head of Continental Europe
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Luc Joordens
Co-Head of Continental Europe
Luc has been in the insurance market for 10+ years, building teams and underwriting various financial lines and M&A insurance products across a wide range of different European territories. Prior to joining Ryan Transactional Risk, Luc successfully built up a Continental-European portfolio as Underwriting Manager M&A and Financial Lines for ANV. Luc currently co-heads the European team for Ryan Transactional Risk, being responsible for the underwriting, business development and expansion in all Continental European territories.Luc holds a Masters’ degree in both International Private Law and Economics from the University of Amsterdam and University of Maastricht respectively and played professional football during his university days. Luc joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2019 and speaks fluent Dutch, English, German and Spanish.
Bill Kellogg
Head of Tax Insurance – US & Canada
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Tax Insurance (North America)
Bill Kellogg
Head of Tax Insurance – US & Canada
Bill Kellogg has underwritten over $3 billion of tax insurance limits covering a multitude of risks arising from M&A transactions, financings and other events. He is a market leader in underwriting tax controversy insurance and is a go-to underwriter for large tax insurance programs, recognized by brokers and underwriters alike for his sophistication, professionalism, transparency, and expediency. Bill joined the tax insurance industry in 2019 and joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2022, leaving his role as Global Head of Tax Insurance for a reputable competitor to lead Ryan Transactional Risk’s tax insurance business in North America and build upon the company’s reputation as an industry pioneer. Before entering the tax insurance industry, Bill worked for over a decade in roles as an external tax adviser (for Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP) and as in-house tax counsel (for Oracle Corporation and American International Group).
Jason King
Vice President, Policy Counsel
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Jason King
Vice President, Policy Counsel
Jason graduated with a JD/MBA from Rutgers University and began his legal career as an M&A associate with Sullivan and Cromwell. He then transitioned into practicing as an insurance coverage litigator with Drinker Biddle & Reath prior to moving to Squire Patton Boggs, where he was promoted to partner. Jason represented insurers in connection with a variety of complex coverage claims and litigations across the country and counseled his clients in connection with the drafting of insurance policies and endorsements. Jason joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2021.
Masaya Koga
Operations Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Operations
Masaya Koga
Operations Analyst
Masaya graduated from American University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and History along with a minor in Finance. He previously worked as an Associate Sales Director at Tempus and as a Data Operations Associate at CB Insights, focusing on M&A and VC funding. Masaya joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2023.
Katarzyna Kos
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Katarzyna Kos
Underwriter
Katarzyna is a qualified Polish lawyer, who was admitted to the bar in Szczecin (Poland) in 2013 and subsequently led her own law office for over 5 years. After moving to Spain, Katarzyna joined the M&A insurance market as an underwriter with particular focus on the CEE region, where she contributed to the development of W&I products across the region. Katarzyna speaks fluent Polish, English, German, Spanish and has an intermediate level of Catalan. Katarzyna joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2022 and is responsible for underwriting W&I insurance policies for M&A transactions across a wide variety of sectors in the CEE region.
Beth Lair
Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Beth Lair
Underwriter
Beth started her career as a legal and compliance recruitment consultant prior to joining Ryan Transactional Risk. She has experience underwriting W&I insurance policies across an array of sectors, with a special focus in real estate. Beth graduated from the University of Sheffield and holds a First-Class Bachelor of Law. Beth joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2017.
Innes Leighton
Global Head of Operations
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Innes Leighton
Global Head of Operations
Innes holds a First-Class Bsc in International Politics and the Third World from Aberystwyth University, and a Masters in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies from the University of St. Andrews. She worked as a crisis management and risk researcher and as a financial recruiter before joining Ryan Transactional Risk. Innes manages the global operations teams (in London, Madrid, New York and Singapore) and is also responsible for all business operations. Innes joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2016.
Ayanna Lewis-Gruss
Vice President & Underwriting Counsel, Litigation Insurance
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Litigation & OCL Insurance (North America)
Ayanna Lewis-Gruss
Vice President & Underwriting Counsel, Litigation Insurance
Ayanna Lewis-Gruss has quickly achieved a leadership position within the niche industry of litigation insurance. Ayanna has successfully undertaken cutting-edge litigation insurance solutions and her perspective is sought out by brokers, law firms and litigation funders. Prior to joining Ryan TR, Ms. Lewis-Gruss spent more than eighteen-years as a litigator at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. She has experience trying a wide range of complex cases. Ms. Lewis-Gruss received her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center and her B.S. from Cornell University.
Lynn Li
Claim Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Claims (North America)
Lynn Li
Claim Analyst
Lynn graduated University at Buffalo in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. She previously served in legal administrative roles for Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. Lynn joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2022.
Nate Little
Assistant Vice President and Counsel
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Nate Little
Assistant Vice President and Counsel
Nate Little is an Assistant Vice President and Counsel, RWI and joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2023. Prior to joining Ryan Transactional Risk, Nate gained experience on both the legal and financial side of the transactional market, working as an Associate Attorney in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s M&A practice. He also worked as a Pricing Analyst in Fannie Mae’s Capital Markets group. Nate received his J.D. Cum Laude from Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law and his B.B.A. in Business Finance from The George Washington University. Nate is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is a member of the New York Bar.
James Longman
Head of Real Estate
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
James Longman
Head of Real Estate
James obtained a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts degree in Land Economy from Cambridge University, and obtained both his Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School. James trained and qualified at SJ Berwin (now known as King & Wood Mallesons) in 2013, subsequently joining Eversheds in its Planning & Development team in May 2013 and Edwin Coe LLP in the Real Estate team in 2016. At Edwin Coe, he advised Private Equity and Corporate clients on real estate matters including investment, debt refinancing, commercial leases, residential development and share purchase agreements. James joined Ryan Transactional Risk in January 2019.
Robert Lustgarten
Senior Vice President, RWI
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Robert Lustgarten
Senior Vice President, RWI
Rob began his career working within the Audit Practice at Deloitte, where he earned his Certified Public Accountant license in 2011 and gained extensive experience leading both public and private audits across numerous industries. Subsequently, Rob was a Manager within the M&A Advisory Group at Deloitte serving private equity and strategic clients in a diversified number of capacities, including deal advisory, buy-side and sell-side due diligence, assistance with carve-outs and restructuring. Rob is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Rob joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2017.
Mike Marston
Head of Operational W&I Insurance (London Market)
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Mike Marston
Head of Operational W&I Insurance (London Market)
Mike graduated from University College London with a 2:1 LLB in Law with Advanced Studies, and completed his legal training at BPP Law School in Holborn. He trained at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP (as it was then known) and qualified there in England & Wales in 2010, before continuing his career at Hogan Lovells International LLP and thereafter Pinsent Masons LLP. During his decade in private practice, Mike became a senior finance lawyer who advised clients seeking to raise or provide finance relating to the development, refinancing and acquisition of UK and international infrastructure, renewable energy and real estate assets, both on a single asset and portfolio basis.
Since joining Ryan Transactional Risk, Mike underwrites complex, high value and cross border transactions across all industry sectors, with a particular focus on TMT, financial services, consumer products, renewables and utilities. Mike currently leads our team of London Market underwriters that focus on operational risks and is a member of the senior W&I leadership team at our London office. Mike joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2020.
Gabriela López Mateos
Underwriter
- Location:Madrid
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Gabriela López Mateos
Underwriter
Gabriela is a Spanish-qualified lawyer, admitted to the bar in Madrid, and she specialises in M&A, with more than 5 years of experience working in the Corporate department of the most prestigious national and international law firms in Madrid (Spain) and Paris (France). Gabriela obtained a double degree in Spanish and French Law from ICADE University in Madrid and Nanterre X in Paris, respectively. She completed her Law Master’s Degree in Access to Law (specialised in Corporate Law) in ICADE University. Gabriela joined Ryan Transactional Risk in February 2023 as a W&I Underwriter, focusing on the Iberian market and also assisting the French market. She is fluent in Spanish, English and French and conversational in Italian.
James Matthias
Tax Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Tax Liability (International)
James Matthias
Tax Underwriter
James is graduate of the University of Cambridge and a qualified solicitor. Having practiced as a tax lawyer at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, James is experienced in advising on the tax aspects of international M&A, real estate and finance transactions as well as providing other direct and indirect tax advisory services. James joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2024.
John McCann
Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Raymond Mercado
Assistant Vice President, Claims Counsel
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Claims (North America)
Raymond Mercado
Assistant Vice President, Claims Counsel
Ray obtained his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and his JD from Boston University. Ray initially worked as a medical malpractice defense litigator in the New York City area before moving over to handle professional liability claims at the Hartford. Ray later joined Liberty Mutual and Ironshore where he assumed a management role overseeing professional liability claim teams, specializing in various professional lines, including tax and accounting. Ray joined Ryan in November 2024.
James Moubray
Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
James Moubray
Underwriter
James graduated from Worcester College, Oxford with a BA in history and subsequently attained both the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School. He qualified as a solicitor at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in 2014 before moving to Charles Russell Speechlys in 2017. James entered the London W&I market in March 2020 before joining Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2024. James underwrites W&I policies across a broad spectrum of transactions both in the UK and internationally.
Lucia Moyano
Junior Underwriting Technician
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Operations
Lucia Moyano
Junior Underwriting Technician
Lucia studied Psychology at the National University of Rosario, Argentina. She has worked in administrative and operational roles supporting teams with data analysis and ensuring compliance with operational requirements. She joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2024.
Natasha Mirzabaigian
Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Natasha Mirzabaigian
Underwriter
Natasha is a W&I underwriter with a focus on real estate transactions. Prior to Ryan Transactional Risk, Natasha worked at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP as Real Estate Associate within their Commercial Development and Investment department where she specialised in investment, development and asset management work acting for a variety of clients including pension funds, large developers, and institutional investors. Natasha joined Ryan Transactional Risk in January 2021.
Ignacio Oppermann
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Operations
Ignacio Oppermann
Underwriting Assistant
Ignacio graduated from the Argentine Catholic University with a degree in Business Administration in 2021. He has gained experience in administration and finance at an aviation and marine reinsurance brokerage firm. Ignacio joined Ryan Transactional Risks in September 2024.
Konstantinos Papagiannakis
Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Tax Insurance (North America)
Konstantinos Papagiannakis
Analyst
Konstantinos graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in Risk Management and Insurance. He then served as a commercial auto claims adjuster for Atlas Financials Holdings (including confirming policy coverage, investigating and negotiating liability with claimants, and paying out legitimate claims). Konstantinos joined Ryan Transactional Risk in March 2022.
James Parker
Senior Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
James Parker
Senior Underwriter
James trained and qualified at Allen & Overy LLP, including undertaking a secondment at UBS and subsequently spent three years as an associate in the corporate M&A team. In 2015 James joined the private equity and financial sponsors group at Travers Smith where he advised on complex cross-border M&A, private equity transactions and management equity arrangements. In 2019 James helped found a new transactional risk business and completed an MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School before joining Ryan Transactional Risk in August 2024.
Rustin Paul
Chief Underwriting Officer of RWI
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Rustin Paul
Chief Underwriting Officer of RWI
Rustin has been a mergers and acquisitions specialist for over 20 years. He received his law degree from the Temple University School of Law and his M.B.A. from the Temple University Fox School of Business. Rustin spent 15 years as a corporate M&A attorney at the law firm of Blank Rome, where he began his career and later became a partner. He has underwritten over $3 billion in RWI limits and leads a team of experienced underwriters and analysts who work with a variety of clients and brokers to evaluate, underwrite and find solutions to even the most complex risks. Rustin joined Ryan Transactional Risk in August 2018.
Hunter Phillips
Vice President & Counsel, Tax
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Tax Insurance (North America)
Hunter Phillips
Vice President & Counsel, Tax
Hunter has worked with Ryan Transactional Risk since June 2021, with experience underwriting both Tax and Reps & Warranties policies. Prior to joining the team, Hunter worked with Ernst & Young’s Transaction Tax group in New York, London, and Munich, where he led a wide variety of domestic and cross-border transaction diligence and structuring engagements. Hunter obtained his LL.M in Tax Law from New York University and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law.
Iris Rivera
Executive Administrative Assistant
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Operations
Iris Rivera
Executive Administrative Assistant
Iris has over 20 years of operations management experience. She has extensive experience with administrative tasks, including coordination with brokers and underwriters, invoice management, contract compliance audits and bookkeeping. Iris joined Ryan Transactional Risk in 2014.
Rachel Rutherford
Underwriting Technician
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Alicia Sanchez
Senior Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Alicia Sanchez
Senior Underwriter
Alicia has been in the insurance market since 2015, initially joining ANV and successfully leading the M&A insurance book in Italy, French-speaking countries and South-Eastern Europe. Alicia then served as VP, Senior Underwriter for Sompo International, where she was actively involved in building up the M&A Insurance team and developing and growing a book of profitable M&A insurance business in Continental Europe. Alicia also has 8 years of professional experience as a corporate and M&A lawyer and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Translation and Interpreting (Italian), as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Master in Professional Legal Practice. She joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2021.
Gabriela Santos
Operations Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Operations
Fabio Schiavottiello
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Fabio Schiavottiello
Underwriter
Fabio is an Italian-qualified lawyer, admitted to the bar in Rome. He has more than 7 years of experience working in M&A teams of top-tier national and international law firms in Rome and Milan, as well as academic and teaching experience in the corporate law area. Fabio graduated at LUISS University in Rome, is currently completing a PhD in corporate and financial markets law and is fluent in Italian and English. Fabio joined Ryan Transactional Risk in February 2023 and he is responsible for underwriting a diverse mix of Italian operational, real estate and renewable energy M&A transactions.
Ulrich Schiener
Head of DACH
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Ulrich Schiener
Head of DACH
Ulrich mainly focusses on transaction-related risks in DACH. He has almost a decade of professional experience in M&A and private equity which he gained through working as a W&I underwriter, and in his previous roles as a senior M&A lawyer in the Munich office of Eversheds Sutherland as well as with a boutique law firm in MannheimHe is fully qualified in Germany and Spain, being admitted to the bar in Munich (Syndikusrechtsanwalt) and Madrid. Ulrich holds a Magister Iuris from Heidelberg University, as well as a multi-disciplinary Bachelor of Laws in business law and economics. Ulrich joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2021 and speaks German, English, and Spanish.
Gareth Shackleton
Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Gareth Shackleton
Underwriter
Gareth joined Ryan Transactional Risk in November 2023 as an Underwriter focusing on Real Estate transactions. He trained and qualified at Lawrence Graham (now known as Gowlings WLG) in 2010 before joining Mayer Brown in 2015, where he advised a range of UK, U.S. and Asian based funds, developers and institutional investors on the sale, purchase, funding, development and ongoing management of their UK real estate investment portfolios. In 2016 Gareth moved in-house, helping WeWork grow throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia before moving to Far East Consortium in 2021, advising on a number of large scale residential and hotel developments in London and Manchester.
Sarthak Sharma
Vice President & Counsel
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Sarthak Sharma
Vice President & Counsel
Sarthak graduated from Mississippi State University before earning his law degree from the University of Georgia. During his legal career, Sarthak has underwritten Representations and Warranties insurance at Beazley and AXA XL. Additionally, he served as Underwriting Counsel for Hiscox where he was created insurance policies and endorsements for a variety of lines of business, including Cyber, Architects & Engineers, Entertainment and General Liability. Sarthak joined Ryan Transactional Risk in April 2022.
Marina Sherer
Head of APAC
Marina started her career at law firm Simpson Grierson in New Zealand, before joining the M&A team at Norton Rose Fulbright in London. She transferred to Norton Rose Fulbright Hong Kong in 2011 and has extensive M&A experience across Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Marina is dual qualified in Hong Kong and New Zealand. She joined the insurance industry in 2021, as a senior underwriter at AIG underwriting M&A products. Marina holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Canterbury and joined Ryan Transactional Risk in August 2023.
Frank Stigliano
Underwriting Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Ed Swift
Tax Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Tax Liability (International)
Ed Swift
Tax Underwriter
Edward (Ed) holds a First Class BA from Durham University and a Master of Studies from Oxford University (both in History). After doing the law conversion and legal practice course at BPP, Ed qualified as a solicitor in 2011 in the tax department of Slaughter and May. He was a tax adviser in private practice for close to 13 years, at Slaughter and May, EY and Baker McKenzie. During this time, Ed advised on a wide range of tax matters, including the tax implications and structuring for complex cross-border M&A deals for large multinationals, as well as advising on global reorganisations and restructurings. Ed joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2024.
Stefan Thaler
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Max Tremain
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Maxime Violon
Underwriter
- Location:Barcelona
- Specialty:Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Maxime Violon
Underwriter
Maxime obtained his Bachelor’s and Master in Laws’ degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles where he graduated cum laude in June 2016. During his Master’s, he founded and was the president of one the first legal clinics in Belgium (QUID ASBL), which received several awards. After an LL.M. degree at Duke University School of Law in May 2017, Maxime started his career as a lawyer. He previously worked as Lead Lawyer at DLA Piper in the Corporate/M&A department in Brussels. Maxime joined Ryan Transactional Risk in September 2022 as a W&I Underwriter, focusing on the Benelux and French markets. Maxime is fluent in English and French and conversational in Spanish and Dutch.
Kerry Westwell
Head of Tax (excluding US & Canada)
- Location:London
- Specialty:Tax Liability (International)
Kerry Westwell
Head of Tax (excluding US & Canada)
Kerry leads our international tax underwriting team dealing with tax risks arising anywhere in the world (other than the US and Canada). Kerry has been writing tax insurance policies since 2019 and also advises on complex tax risks arising in the W&I arena. A highly experienced tax advisor, Kerry joined Ryan Transactional Risk in June 2019 after spending over 21 years in the corporate tax teams of both UK and US headed international law firms. Kerry graduated from King’s College London with a 2:1 Bachelor of Laws and London University with a Master of Tax Law.
Amy Wheeler
Junior Underwriting Technician
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Amy Wheeler
Junior Underwriting Technician
Amy completed her education at Southend High School for Girls in 2021 and began her career in banking, working within the clearing department, where she predominantly handled the settlement of foreign exchange trades. She later joined Ryan Transactional Risk in July 2024.
Alex White
Head of Claims, International and Senior Underwriter
- Location:London
- Specialty:Claims (International), Warranty & Indemnity (International)
Alex White
Head of Claims, International and Senior Underwriter
Alex started his career training at Mayer Brown and qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2018. Alex spent a further year at Mayer Brown working in its Litigation and Dispute Resolution department. Whilst at Mayer Brown Alex went on two secondments, first working with the W&I underwriting team of the Beazley Group and secondly assisting in the claims department of Allied World. Alex graduated from the University of York with a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts degree in History and completed his Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law. Alex joined Ryan Transactional Risk in January 2019.
Hannah Williams
Underwriting Assistant
- Location:London
- Specialty:Operations
Jenny Wong
Vice President & Counsel, Tax
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Tax Insurance (North America)
Jenny Wong
Vice President & Counsel, Tax
Jenny is an attorney and a member of the New York Bar. Jenny has over 19 years of U.S. tax experience. With concentrations in mergers, acquisitions, banking, financial products and insurance company taxation, Jenny worked in roles as an external tax advisor (for the Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance practice at PwC where she specialized in serving insurance, private equity and other financial institutions clients), as in-house tax attorney (for JPMorgan, AIG, Barclays, HSBC and Enstar Group), and as a junior structurer on Lehman Brothers’ trading desk. She received her J.D. from University of Pittsburgh and her LL.M in Taxation from New York University. Jenny joined the tax insurance industry in 2020 as an insurance broker and led the tax insurance practice at Atlantic Global Risk, joining Ryan Transactional Risk in 2023.
Justin Wong
Underwriting Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Justin Wong
Underwriting Analyst
Justin is a graduate of Binghamton University, where he earned a BBA in Finance and a minor in Economics. He brings over three years of experience in the RWI industry, having worked at Mosaic Insurance as an Analyst, where he analyzed and evaluated risks associated with M&A deals. Justin joined Ryan Transactional Risk in October 2024.
Ben Yoshia
Analyst
- Location:New York
- Specialty:Representations & Warranties Insurance (North America)
Ben Yoshia
Analyst
Ben graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Finance. He previously graduated Magna Cum Laude when earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Philosophy and Communications Studies, and minoring in Business Law. Throughout his academic career, he has earned graduate certificates in Risk Management & Insurance, Professional & Technical Writing, and Ethics, Law & Society studies. Ben joined Ryan Transactional Risk in November 2021.