Aaron Howell, Managing Director, Head of Oil & Gas, Asia, Rothschild

We have always taken a long-term view of our client needs; evolving their strategy and enabling its execution, we do not focus on quarterly or annual deal related metrics. As the macro-environment has moved, we have moved with it, however our core focus of impartially advising our clients over the long-term has not changed.

Generally we observe client needs across the region, making it difficult to isolate certain markets, that said, we do see scope for significant activity within Indonesia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. More broadly we see real opportunity for a mid-sized E&P company to be created within the region, or formed as a result of aggregation. We are also focused on the relationship of the industry with the NOCs, lower oil prices offer the opportunity for this partnership to evolve. We continue to maintain relationships with all industry participants across the spectrum; from our base in Singapore we have on-ground presence in most countries within region.

Forgetting, or allowing demands for dividends to distract our attention, from the reality that “E&P” starts with “E”. More broadly the availability of money with a risk appetite. As regulations tighten, the LNG market commoditises, and we struggle to manage the cost and complexity of the business it becomes increasingly difficult to marry the money with projects.

Increasingly our advisory practice will focus on re-structuring and re-financing, so as to manage the immediate needs. Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments remain a core part of our business; this environment requires a thoughtful advisor who understands market participants, company strategy, valuation and the dynamic of deal closure at low oil prices. Confidential advisory mandates, assistance on strategy, working through a client’s imminent funding needs towards effective re-structuring enabling longer-term growth. In other words, staying very close to our clients, taking a long-term view of what needs to be achieved and drawing on experience from previous low oil price cycles.

Perception and appreciation. Energy is mission critical to our society; our industry is a leader in innovation, technology and safety, at times the few bad examples taint an otherwise leading industry.

We are a dedicated advisory only firm with deep experience in the oil & gas industry; we deploy impartial advice and industry / market insights to develop and deliver the strategic objectives of our clients.

This is an excellent networking opportunity and forum to exchange views and thoughts on the industry in general. I hope to catch-up with old friends and meet new ones; potentially line up deals, at the very least bring people and opportunities together. I do hope that attendees leave with the recognition that the Rothschild Advisory business is an active and informed member of the Asia Pacific Oil & Gas community.

It was not planned, a random campus recruitment poster invited applications to attend the “Shell Assessment Centre”; I was genuinely impressed by the rigour and scope of the assessment, so much so that I determined that this was the industry for me.

When a client, occasionally, offers the feedback – “you have always advised us honestly”.

Mr. Martin Lovegrove. I commenced my advisory/banking career with Martin, he was an outstanding teacher and mentor who amongst other strengths truly understood the people and psychological aspects of our business.

From my 10 years at Shell; the refrain “Honesty, Integrity and Respect for People” still resonates strongly. In my advisory career; “Deals are made between people, not companies”.

Be curious, ask questions, don’t be afraid to innovate, seize the opportunity to travel.

Off-road touring / camping in Australia.

The Fountain Head by Ayn Rand

Contempt (“Le mépris”)

Keeping with family tradition, no less than Thurston managed to take on his 3 hour island tour…

About Aaron Howell

Aaron Howell works with Rothschild as managing director and head of oil and gas for Southeast Asia.

Howell joined the the advisory firm’s Singapore office in the week of March 9 and reports directly to Claire Sudden-Spiers, head of Southeast Asia in Singapore, and Roger Ader, global head of oil and gas in London, according to a source close to the company.

Prior to joining Rothschild, Howell founded and ran his own advisory firm called Howell & Co Petroleum Advisors. Before that, he worked in Citi’s investment banking unit as a director of its global energy group from November 2011 to January 2014, also in Singapore.