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 worked in EY’s Transaction Advisory team where he focussed on the insurance sector.

He has extensive experience across the Financial Services sector with a particular focus on non-life (re)insurance M&A – broker, MGA and carrier transactions. Prior to EY, Dilipe was a key member of Enstar’s M&A team where he worked on some of the highest profile and largest run-off insurance deals.

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

Arnauld Gayral

Arnauld joined in Summer 2023 and brings 15 years of (re)insurance industry experience. Prior to Hines Associates, Arnauld was a senior manager in the M&A department of DARAG, an insurance company specialising in legacy solutions. Arnauld also worked at Gallagher in London, has experience in underwriting, and co-founded and ran an insurance broking business in France.

Arnauld holds a M.Sc. in Management from Kedge, a graduate diploma in Finance from Birkbeck college and a M.Sc. in Finance and Investment from Bayes Business School (former CASS). Outside of work Arnauld enjoys playing tennis, kitesurfing and spending time with friends and family.

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.

Maxim McGrigor

Maxim is an Analyst at Hines Associates. Before joining the firm this year, Maxim worked at Cargill as an analyst in Trade and Structured Finance where he gained exposure to fixed-income trading, debt financing, and completed the CFA Level One exam.

Maxim graduated from Durham University and represented the Hockey Club, achieving a first. Outside of work, he enjoys challenges and has completed triathlons, Everest Base Camp, and the Fastnet Race.