Lockton Companies Expands EMEA Leadership in Transaction Liability
Lockton Companies has appointed Luke Sutton as Chief Commercial Officer for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, and Abbas Juma as Head of Tax (EMEA) in its Transaction Liability practice. These appointments are central to Lockton's strategy of creating a cohesive transaction liability platform on a global scale, ensuring consistent technical proficiency and advisory services across diverse regions.
The EMEA practice is experiencing substantial growth. The expertise of Sutton and Juma is anticipated to drive innovation, enhance client services, and support the expansion of Lockton's international team operations. Their presence will fortify the firm's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while meeting diverse client needs.
Luke Sutton, a UK-qualified lawyer with extensive experience in corporate and investment advisory, has previously led transaction liability practices in the Middle East and Africa. This experience has significantly contributed to the growth of private equity and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) platforms. Mary Duffy, Head of Global Expansion and Market Strategy, emphasized Sutton’s pivotal role in Lockton’s regional scaling efforts, citing his comprehensive market expertise.
Sutton highlighted Lockton's commitment to operational integration and technical excellence at a global level. He expressed confidence in the firm's ability to maintain high advisory standards consistently across multiple regions, underscoring the firm's innovative approach.
Abbas Juma brings over 15 years of experience, particularly in the tax aspects of transactions and M&A across jurisdictions. Previously at Deloitte and a major insurance broker, Juma has been instrumental in advancing tax risk insurance services in the UK and Europe. Eric Ziff, Global Co-Head of Transaction Liability, praised Juma’s contributions to the evolving field of tax insurance, emphasizing his technical and market insights.
Juma expressed enthusiasm for leading Lockton's tax capabilities within a fully integrated global framework, which allows for more effective regional and cross-border client engagements. This approach is expected to enhance the firm's ability to provide innovative solutions in the complex landscape of tax regulation and compliance.
The EMEA region is integral to Lockton’s expanding Transaction Liability network, which includes North America and Asia-Pacific. Josh Halpern, Global Co-Head of Transaction Liability, highlighted the importance of EMEA in delivering unified client experiences across global transactions. These strategic appointments are expected to strengthen Lockton's Transaction Liability platform, which offers various insurance solutions for M&A markets, while the firm remains committed to developing its global talent pool to meet evolving client demands.