Aquis Search

Legal Risk Compliance Finance Human Resources Operations

People makethe difference.

www.aquissearch.com 1

About Aquis SearchAquis Search is a boutique executive search and selection firm focused on recruiting Legal, Risk, Compliance, Human Resources, Finance & Accounting and Operations professionals. From our Hong Kong and Singapore offices we work at all levels, recruiting and managing talent across the corporate, legal and financial community. We operate within a consultative framework and have developed a long standing reputation for our industry knowledge and for providing a high level of personalised service.

At Aquis we help people and organisations realise their potential. By focusing on areas of business where our skills and resources deliver timely and effective solutions we connect talent with opportunity in a complex global market.

As an applicant searching for a new challenge or an employer looking for the right individual, Aquis Search is uniquely positioned to aid our partners in the decision making process.

For our applicants we provide outstanding career opportunities, market insights and trusted career guidance and advice. For our clients we offer bespoke recruitment services designed to meet the needs of each assignment.

Our geographical coverage extends beyond our offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, utilising our extensive networks in many of the world’s major financial centres.


LegalThe Aquis Search Legal team delivers specialist recruitment solutions to the corporate, practice and financial markets. Our experienced consultants have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legal sector and provide a range of advisory services including market insights and salary information.

Legal infrastructure is fundamental to business. Legal rules and systems are constantly created, changed and moulded to fit particular situations in business and as a result elaborate rights and responsibilities in a variety of ways. In the global economy most legal systems deal with similar issues, each country categorising and identifying its legal standards and principals in different ways. These differences are increasingly visible and create complex systems for businesses to interpret. The legal practice market is constantly evolving and for partners the challenge remains one of managing internal resources whilst balancing the demands of clients. As the finance industry shows signs of recovery in Asia, key hiring managers in legal departments are faced with similar pressures.

The Aquis Search legal team provides private practice and in-house opportunities for applicants. We work with applicants who are able to help build global legal infrastructure for our clients, and with clients who value the importance of these systems in business. Our team services the full spectrum of law firms, domestic and international companies, as well as the financial services sector.


LegalWe partner with the leading names within each of the industries we serve and have developed long standing relationships with our clients.

Typical assignments include:• Partners–equityandsalaried• Counsels• Associates• ProfessionalSupportLawyers(PSL)• BusinessDevelopmentandMarketingprofessionals• Paralegals

Recent assignments include:• RegionalHeadofLegal–EuropeanCorporateBank• SeniorAssociate,Litigation–USlawfirm• HeadofLegal,ConsumerBank• USSecuritiesPartner–USlawfirm• HeadofLegal,GlobalMarkets–RegionalBank


RiskThe Aquis Search Risk team delivers specialist recruitment solutions to the corporate, legal and financial markets. Our experienced consultants have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the risk sector and provide a range of advisory services including market insights and salary information.

Giventhecurrenteconomicclimatemuchofthevocabularyofriskmanagementiswellestablished.AtAquisweunderstand the need for organisations to create a culture where risk management is part of the decision making process, addresses uncertainty in a systematic and structured way, and creates value based on the best information available.

We work with applicants who have the ability to develop and implement risk management as an integral part of our client’s organisational processes. The Aquis Search Risk team provides opportunities for dynamic and responsive professionals to work with organisations that are building transparent and inclusive risk management cultures, capable of continual improvement and enhancement.


RiskWe partner with the leading names within each of the industries we serve and have developed long standing relationships with our clients.

Typical assignments include:• MarketRisk• CreditRisk• OperationalRisk• QuantitativeFinance

Recent assignments include:• HeadofCreditRisk,PrivateBank• HeadofCorporateRisk,USInvestmentBank• VicePresident,MarketRisk,HedgeFund• RegionalHeadofOperationalRisk,RegionalBank• Director,CreditRisk,TMTGroup,USBank


ComplianceThe Aquis Search Compliance team delivers specialist recruitment solutions to the corporate, regulatory and financial markets. Our experienced consultants have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the compliance sector and provide a range of advisory services including market insights and salary information.

In recent years we have witnessed dramatic changes to the compliance industry and we understand the strategic importance of advisory compliance professionals. The central theme of corporate governance issues, both internal and external, is regulatory compliance.

At Aquis we recognise some of the greatest concerns faced by the global economy centre around responsibilities for leading enterprise compliance efforts. These responsibilities include: designing and implementing internal controls, policies and procedures to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, responding to requests for information from regulatory bodies and in light of the recent economic climate, managing audits and investigations into regulatory and compliance lapses.

The Aquis Search Compliance team understands the nature of developing regulatory frameworks and how these developments impact the human capital demands of compliance departments. Our team appreciates how regulatory benchmarks require that adequate human resources are maintained at the appropriate levels of expertise to manage day-today processes and ad-hoc scenarios.


ComplianceWe work with applicants that will bring a strong compliance culture to our clients’ organisations and we are acutely aware how important it is to match our applicants with clients who heavily invest in regulatory responsibility and understand the importance of reputational risk. We partner with the leading names within each of the industries we serve and have developed long standing relationships with our clients.

Typical assignments include:• RegionalHeadofCompliance• CountryHeadofCompliance• ComplianceAdvisory• Anti-Money-Laundering• CoreCompliance

Recent assignments include:• CentralCompliance,EuropeanInvestmentBank• EquityCompliance,USInvestmentBank• FixedIncomeCompliance,RegionalInvestmentBank• ControlRoom,RegionalInvestmentBank• HeadofCompliance,HedgeFund


FinanceThe Aquis Search Finance team delivers specialist recruitment solutions to the corporate, legal and financial markets. Our experienced consultants have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the finance sector and provide a range of advisory services including market insights and salary information.

At Aquis we understand that finance is a core aspect of business management. As the number of financial vehicles and methods of investment has increased, financial management has become more crucial and complex. In the current climate the importance of financial control has increased as organisations come under scrutiny.

We work with applicants that will help our clients carefully identify their relevant objectives and constraints, as well as strategy: institutional or individual goals, time horizon, risk aversion and tax considerations. At Aquis we appreciate that our client’s fiscal goals and their use of appropriate financial vehicles are more important than ever.

We partner with the leading names within each of the industries we serve and have developed long standing relationships with our clients. By focusing on areas of business where our skills and resources deliver timely and effective solutions we connect talent with opportunity in a complex global market.


FinanceTypical assignments include:• ChiefFinancialOfficers• FinanceDirectors• FinancialandBusinessControllers• FinanceManagers• CommercialandBusinessStrategyManagers• Planning&AnalysisManagers• CostAccountants• ProjectAccountants• TreasuryorTaxSpecialists• InternalandExternalAuditors• Newly-qualifiedAccountants• Part-qualifiedAccountants• ProductControllers• SystemsAccountants


Human Resources The Aquis Search human capital development team delivers specialist recruitment solutions to the corporate, legal and financial markets. Our consultants have an in-depth knowledge, understanding and experience of the human resources sector and provide a range of advisory services including market insights and salary information.

Aquis understands that an organisation’s human capital plays a major role in defining its character. Corporate culture is developed by the professionals within the company who contribute much more to a productive enterprise than ‘work’. This means that we partner with our applicants and clients to identify opportunities that define the individual as well as the organisation.

As a boutique executive search and selection firm we are well positioned to advise on the current and future trends of the labour market so that internal influences are easier to control, predict and monitor, in an array of organisational cultures, taking into account demographic, diversity, skills needs, geographic spread and occupational structure.

The Aquis Search Human Resources team provides opportunities for applicants who are able to develop human capital solutions within our client’s organisations. We work with applicants who understand organisational development and who are able to build our clients organisational culture, whilst maximising their potential and minimising financial risk.

We partner with the leading names within each of the industries we serve and have developed long standing relationships with our clients. By focusing on areas of business where our skills and resources deliver timely and effective solutions we connect talent with opportunity in a complex global market.


Human Resources Typical assignments include:• HumanResourcesRelationshipManagers• OrganisationalDevelopmentConsultants• ChangeManagementSpecialists• TrainingandDevelopmentExecutives• IndustrialandEmployeeRelationsSpecialists• CompensationandBenefitsManagers• HumanResourcesInformationSystemsSpecialists• HumanResourcesBusinessPartners• RecruitmentandDevelopment• PerformanceEvaluationandManagement


Our Regional Presence

Beijing

Shanghai

Hong Kong

Singapore

TokyoSeoul

Mumbai

Taipei

Kuala Lumpur

Jakarta

Bangkok

Hanoi

Dubai

Sydney


Our Client ServicePartnershipisessentialtoourrecruitmentprocess,definedbytrustandcommunication.Byunderstandingourclientsas individuals and organisations we are able to understand the needs of their businesses, and can then offer bespoke recruitment services designed to meet the objectives of each assignment.

Aquis works on assignments at all levels. In addition we have specialist teams that work on team moves, partner placements and assisting international firms move into the region.

In all cases we provide a confidential service that includes:• apromptresponse• relevantadvicetomeetparticularbusinessneeds• accuraterepresentationofanorganisationtothemarket• outstandingmarketinsightsandintelligence• presentationofapplicantswhobringvaluetobusinesses• adviceandmanagementwhenconductingadvertisingassignments


Our Client ProcessOur consultative approach means that we will help define the nature of a role whilst advising on the current market environment for a particular function. Our research team will systematically identify individuals and institutions by utilising our excellent database as well as selectively sourcing applicants through our extensive network.

Before we contact potential applicants we develop a long list. At this stage we assess the ideal applicants for required knowledge and skills base, preferred work experience, personal qualities and projected compensation package. We then identify a target list of appropriate individuals and begin to inform them of the opportunity. We may also simultaneously meet professionals who potentially fit our candidate profile to ensure we have covered the target market.

When assessing applicants our objective is to undertake a thorough discussion of each individual’s education, career history and ability to meet the demands of the role. From these interviews we identify suitable applicants who match our client’s needs and produce a short list. We then provide our client with detailed resumes together with an assessment of eachapplicant’s strengths and weaknesses. Clients may then wish to meet the full range of individuals or to focus closely on a small number of standout individuals in the first instance. This communication process will continue until an employment offer is structured and accepted.


Our Client ProcessAquis Search will also assist with compensation negotiations if required. We act as an impartial intermediary between our applicants and our clients, and report factors that both parties feel will influence negotiations. Should an offer be made, our involvement depends entirely on the needs all parties involved.

At the end of the interview process our clients may ask for references to be taken. References normally focus on career history and compensation package, and we will take references from relevant parties if requested. In order to work sensitively with our applicants, in most cases reference checks are only pursued after an offer has been made, but before commencementofwork.Duringallstagesofthesearch,wekeepinclosecontactwithboththeapplicantandclient to ensure that communications are effective and productive.

The success of Aquis Search rests on the performance of the applicants our clients hire and it is extremely important to us that we keep in touch with both parties following an individual’s successful placement.


Our Applicant ServiceAt Aquis we work in partnership with our applicants and are dedicated to bringing the best opportunities in the market to them. Our structured approach is designed to build lasting relationships, so that our applicants are able to make better informed career decisions. To do this our team is accessible and make themselves well acquainted with each individual’ssituation.

We provide a confidential service that includes:• apromptresponse• trustedcareerguidanceandadvice• outstandingcareeropportunities,marketinsightsandintelligence


Our Applicant ProcessWe start building our relationship with an applicant before we discuss a possible move with them. Our process starts with an initial introduction and we only require an applicant’s career history in order to consider them for an opportunity. Any information provided by an applicant is confidential until they decide to release it to our clients.

If an applicant is interested in career advice we are happy to provide them with an assessment of the market and the current options available to them. This normally includes information such as salary advice. If an applicant is interested in pursuing a role, we will conduct an interview before we agree to approach our client on their behalf. We never forward our applicant’s details to any third party without their express permission.

Once an approach has been made, our applicants will be kept regularly informed of their progress throughout the interview process. We act as an impartial intermediary between our applicants and our clients, and report factors that both parties feel will influence negotiations. Should an offer be made, our involvement depends entirely on the needs of all partiesinvolved.


Our Applicant ProcessAt the end of the interview process our clients may ask for references to be taken. References normally focus on career history and compensation package, and we will take references from relevant parties if requested. In order to work sensitively with our applicants, in most cases reference checks are only pursued after an offer has been made, but before commencementofwork.Duringallstagesofthesearch,wekeepinclosecontactwithboththeapplicantandclienttoensure that communications are effective and productive.

The success of Aquis Search rests on the performance of the applicants our clients hire and it is extremely important to us that we keep in touch with both parties following an individual’s successful placement.


Questions and AnswersHow do you treat confidential information?As the foundation of our network, professional integrity is paramount in our dealings with both applicants and clients. Our applicants trust us to treat their career information sensitively and act with discretion during the recruitment process. We have worked hard to earn this trust and we are committed to a strict confidentiality policy.

We will never forward our applicant’s details to any third party, nor discuss privileged information about our client’s business, without prior express permission to do so.

How do you represent applicants?Our aim is to establish a close working relationship with all our partners and we value transparent communication. For applicants the first stage of our process is a thorough interview. We have developed our own assessment methodologies that capture the skills of each individual so that we fully understand and appreciate their unique qualities. This ensures that every applicant’s experience and aspirations are represented correctly.

When we represent our applicants, our normal approach includes a specially tailored and formatted resume specific to each role.


Questions and AnswersWhat kind of placements do you make?We have eight core coverage areas outlined on our web-site which are supported by a team of dedicated consultants and researchers. Our specialist focus means we are uniquely positioned to provide practical and up-to-date market information for each of the sectors we cover, in particular opportunities within the legal, risk and compliance professions.

OurassignmentsspanthefullspectrumoftherecruitmentmarketacrosstheAsiaPacific.Weworkatalllevelsofanorganisation’s hierarchy from entry level to C-level.

Which clients do you represent?The consultants at Aquis Search have developed strong relationships with the region’s key decision makers across the corporate,legalandfinancialcommunity.Ourclientscoveraprestigiousnetworkoffinancialinstitutions,leadingUKandUSlawfirmsandmanyofthelargestnameswithintheFortune500.


Questions and AnswersWhat can I expect from the consultants at Aquis Search?Aquis Search is committed to building long term partnerships. We have developed a reputation for providing a professional service to our partners which has allowed us to build relationships that are unparalleled in the industries we serve.

Ourteamismadeupofseasonedprofessionalswhohaveanin-depthunderstandingandexperienceoftheAsiaPacificregion. They are experts in their fields and will present timely and relevant information to aid our partners in the decision making process.

Throughout the recruitment process our consultants aim to provide honest, practical advice and feedback. We understand our applicants’ career goals and appreciate that their success is our success.


About Scott HarrisonScott Harrison is responsible for the development of the Legal recruitment capability for Aquis. He specialises in middle to senior level assignments for lawyers across both the private practice and inhouse financial markets. He has also worked for leading blue chip corporates across a wide range of industry sectors including consumer, manufacturing and technology. Scott leads a team of professional legal recruiters that specialise within these markets across the major cities in Asia.

He has more than nine years experience in recruitment of which the last six years has been spent in Asia where he has developed a strong insight into the legal industry, fostered a breadth of client relationships and has access to talent at all levels. He has worked with major law firms, banks and leading multinationals and has placed legal talent in a variety of roles frompartnerleveltoGeneralCounsel.

ScottholdsaMastersinAppliedPsychologyandtrainedasanorganisationalpsychologistbeforemovingintotherecruitment industry. He has long recognised the importance of personality fit and is adept at matching people’s individual styles with the right culture.


About James HickmanJames Hickman is responsible for the development of the Risk and Compliance markets for the firm. He is spearheading the firm’s innovative approach to client development and candidate management, and will be particularly focused on growing theseplatformsacrosstheAsiaPacific.

James has more than ten years of Human Resources experience in Asia and has worked with the region’s largest recruitment firms.MostrecentlyhehasbeeninstrumentalinbuildingtheRiskandCompliancedeskforaglobalrecruitmentfirminAsia. In this role he managed a portfolio of leading professional and financial services sector companies as well as numerous Fortune 500 multinationals. In other roles James has covered front office positions in corporate finance and equity derivatives.

BorninHongKong,JamesholdsaMastersdegreeinChinesePolitics,EconomicsandLawfromtheUniversityofSydneyandaBachelors(Hons)inChineseHistoryofArtandArchaeologyfromtheSchoolofOrientalandAfricanStudies,theUniversityofLondon.HehasalsospenttimeattheEastChinaUniversityofPoliticsandLawinShanghaiandhasindustryqualifications in Human Resources and Training.


Scott HarrisonManagingDirectorLegal [email protected]

Sam [email protected]

James HickmanManagingDirectorCompliance & Human [email protected]

Carol CheungDirectorFinancial [email protected]

Michael LuckettDirectorLegalPrivatePracticemichaelluckett@aquissearch.com

Gareth ReesAssociateDirectorFinancial [email protected]

Contacts


ContactsFor further information please contact Aquis Search

Hong Kong:19/F, Kailey Tower, 16 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong+852 2537 0333

Singapore:10/F,55MarketStreet,Singapore+65 6438 5337

or email [email protected]

Documents

Aquis Search