Umut is a Senior Tax Underwriter and part of Acquinex’s tax team in Europe. Prior to joining Acquinex, Umut was a Senior Associate at Ashurst LLP, where he advised on a broad range of tax issues from transactional M&A to domestic and cross-border advisory taxes. In addition, Umut has significant experience in tax controversy and litigation and has litigated at all levels of the English court and tribunal system and guided clients through complex HMRC audits and enquiries (with a particular focus on international taxes and transfer pricing). Prior to his career in law, Umut studied at the London School of Economics.

James is an Analyst within the W&I team, working on transactions across Europe, and joined Acquinex in 2025. Prior to joining, he gained hands-on M&A experience as an Investment Analyst at Europe’s largest non-performing loan investor, where he focused on the assessment and forecasting of investment opportunities. James holds a First-Class degree in Finance and Investment with an additional year in Data Analytics.

Matt heads up Acquinex’s title offering across our offices and has extensive real estate and insurance experience. Matt’s career has focussed on creating innovative solutions for a broad range of Title defects impacting commercial transactions, developing expertise applying Title solutions to M&A, real estate development and renewables transactions. He has written, and built, business across the UK and the EEA. More recently, Matt was a senior member of the Title team at the UK’s largest insurer, being responsible for launching and growing the European Underwriting book as well as the creation of a joined-up W&I and Title work stream.

Josh is responsible for the corporate development, financial, operational and day-to-day running of Acquinex. Josh has over 15 years of M&A and insurance experience having held leadership and executive positions at global marquee brand insurers and MGAs, most recently prior to joining Acquinex as Senior Vice President, International Transactional Risk at Chubb. Josh is a qualified solicitor having trained and practiced at top-tier London city firm Macfarlanes before joining the insurance industry.

Michelle is Head of Claims and joined Acquinex in 2025. Michelle has a law degree from UCL and is a solicitor specialising in litigation in the insurance and financial services sectors. From her time at Clifford Chance and Eversheds Sutherland she has over 10 years’ experience in managing a broad range of matters, with a particular specialism in W&I and tax claims. Michelle has drafted policy wordings and has extensive experience in acting for both policyholders and insurers assessing complex coverage issues spanning a number of jurisdictions concerning a variety of asserted breaches of warranty. Michelle prides herself on being a problem solver and is recognised for her pragmatic and commercial approach.

Gloria is the Head of Risk and Compliance at Acquinex and is responsible for providing specialist risk and compliance expertise and developing, embedding and leading a robust second line risk and compliance function across all Acquinex offices.

Prior to joining Acquinex in November 2019, Gloria held senior compliance roles in global companies including Bupa, Willis Towers Watson and JLT/MMC. Gloria has over 15 years UK and international compliance experience, primarily gained in the insurance industry. Gloria originally started her career by qualifying as a barrister.

Ellie is a Head of Contingent Risks and joined Acquinex in 2024. Prior to this, Ellie was a dispute resolution solicitor at Fox Williams LLP, where she specialised in shareholder group actions, and at RPC LLP, where she was seconded to Lloyds Development Capital and Sompo Insurance. Ellie has a degree in Classics from Durham University.

Hugh is a Underwriter, UK W&I within the London team, having joined Acquinex in March 2022. Hugh is responsible for working with and supporting the UK W&I team in their underwriting, procedures, and policy issuance for M&A transactions across Europe. Prior to joining Acquinex Hugh gained six months of experience at a West End accountancy firm, working primarily in audit and accounts preparation. Hugh has a degree in Economics and Politics from the University of Bristol.

Liam is an Senior Underwriter, UK W&I team, having joined Acquinex in October 2021. Liam underwrites W&I Insurance policies for UK M&A transactions across a range of sectors. Prior to joining Acquinex, Liam worked in the London W&I team at ANV, where he worked on transactions throughout Europe. Liam has a degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Sheffield.

Tom is a Tax Underwriter and is part of Acquinex’s tax team in Europe. Prior to joining Acquinex, Tom trained and worked as a solicitor at Macfarlanes LLP, where he advised on a broad range of tax issues from transactional M&A to domestic and cross border advisory tax issues, with a predominant focus on employee incentives. Tom is a qualified solicitor and studied Classics at the University of Cambridge.