The team

Richard Hines

Richard is the founder. He has many years of experience in advising financial services clients on transactions and corporate strategy.

Prior to setting up Hines Associates, Richard was Managing Director at Citigroup’s Investment Bank and Co-Head for the European Insurance and Asset Management Groups. He trained as an accountant at PWC and worked at AT Kearney as Partner in their Insurance Practice, as a re-insurer at M&G Re and in various managerial positions at Prudential. Richard’s interests outside work include sports, tennis, fishing, shooting, cars, walking dogs and spending time in Cornwall.

Peter Smart

Peter is a Partner at Hines Associates, re-joining in 2004 the team he had worked with as a Managing Director at Citigroup. He was a corporate financier at Schroders for 17 years, advising clients on M&A, capital raisings and providing general financial advice.

Two secondments to Hong Kong and Warsaw, the latter as co-head, provided valuable international perspective. At Hines, Peter works with clients in wealth management, asset management and general insurance. Outside, family, music and travel help re-charge the batteries.

Dilipe Arul

Dilipe is a Partner at Hines Associates. Previously, he was an Associate Director within EY’s Transaction Advisory team where he focussed on the insurance sector.

He has extensive experience across the London Market having advised several specialist insurers, Lloyd’s syndicates, MGAs and brokers on both buy and sell-side transactions. Prior to joining EY, Dilipe worked within Enstar’s M&A team and was involved in a number of large, successful run-off deals.

Outside of work, Dilipe enjoys participating in a wide range of sports, travelling and spending time with his family and friends.

Yew Wing Liong

Wing is an Associate at Hines Associates and joined the firm in 2022. Prior to joining Hines Associates, Wing was an Assistant Manager at EY where he focused on supporting clients in the Banking and Capital Markets sectors, including: Investment banks, retail banks, brokers, credit rating agencies and fintechs.

Wing is a chartered accountant and holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE. Outside of work, Wing enjoys a good HIIT workout and participating in team sports such as tag rugby.

Rob Balfour

Rob is an Associate at Hines Associates. He joined the firm in the summer of 2022, prior to which he worked in the Business Advisory Group at Saffery Champness. Whilst there, he gained broad sector experience before specialising in FCA regulated entities.

Rob is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the University of Oxford where he obtained a first class degree in Chemistry (MChem) and represented the University Rugby Club. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and playing a variety of sports including golf, rugby, and cricket.