Howden India names Mandira Gupta as Managing Director & Head of M&A, IMEA

Global insurance group Howden has announced the appointment of Mandira Gupta as Managing Director & Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) for its India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) region. Based out of Howden’s Indian headquarters in Mumbai, Mandira will lead the company’s strategic growth in private equity and transactional risk insurance solutions across the fast-evolving IMEA landscape.

The timing of her appointment aligns with a surge in dealmaking activity in India. According to Grant Thornton Bharat, the first quarter of 2025 alone recorded $5.3 billion in M&A deals, marking a 204% year-on-year increase in transaction value and a 25% jump in deal volume. With this dynamic backdrop, Howden aims to expand its footprint as a trusted advisor and risk partner in high-stakes transactions.

A seasoned professional with over two decades of M&A experience, Mandira Gupta is widely recognized for pioneering and scaling Transaction Risk (TR) practices in India. Her leadership spans across insurance broking and investment banking, with a notable focus on private equity and complex transactional risk.

Prior to joining Howden, she served as Managing Director at Marsh India Insurance Broking, where she headed the Private Equity and M&A (PEMA) vertical and led TR initiatives across India, the Middle East, and Africa. Her track record includes numerous high-profile, cross-border deals, supported by her deep understanding of both underwriting and deal structuring.

With over 10 years in M&A insurance and nine years in investment banking across India and London, Mandira brings a rare combination of technical depth and market insight to her new role. At Howden, she will play a pivotal role in advancing the firm’s M&A strategy, advising clients on risk mitigation and structuring insurance-backed solutions to support deal confidence and execution.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new challenge, Mandira Gupta commented, “I am delighted to join Howden and look forward to contributing to its growth and business objectives. My primary focus will be on developing tailored solutions for significant transactions, leveraging my established relationships within the industry.”

Amit Agarwal, CEO & MD of Howden India, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are proud to welcome Mandira to our team. Her appointment significantly strengthens Howden India’s dynamic growth and underscores our firm commitment to enhancing our expertise in the PE and M&A sectors. As we continue to expand our capabilities, Mandira’s deep understanding and leadership will be crucial in delivering exceptional value to our clients.”

Mandira Gupta’s appointment signifies Howden’s strategic commitment to capitalizing on the burgeoning M&A activity in the IMEA region and further solidifying its position as a leading provider of specialized insurance solutions for private equity and transactional risks.