Expert resume of Stephen Howard

Stephen Howard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pan Asian Securities Lending Association (PASLA) based in Hong Kong, representing over 60 financial institutions in developing the Securities Financing market across Asia Pacific. With 30 years of experience he is an expert in equity products, derivatives and risk management, and has served in various leadership roles in the financial industry. 

Stephen Howard is the Chief Executive officer of the Pan Asian Securities Lending Association, based in Hong Kong. The Association represents the interests of over 60 financial institutions developing the Securities Finance market structure across Asia Pacific. He has 30 years of experience in the global equities and equity derivative markets. 

Mr Howard is a leading expert in all aspects of equity products including cash equities, OTC options, listed derivatives, corporate derivatives, securities lending, securities financing, ETF’s and structured equity products. 

As an expert witness, he assists major law firms worldwide with the resolution of complex financial disputes. Mr Howard has consulted and completed a range of disputes across equities, derivatives, funds and risk management in Asia, Europe and North America.

Prior to this, Mr Howard was the principal for a Financial Consulting Business. From 2014 to 2017, he was the Head of Trading and a Portfolio Manager for an Asia Ex-Japan Hedge Fund. 

From 2004, Mr Howard worked at ABN Amro through its acquisition by RBS-Natwest markets. Where he became the Head of Equity Derivatives in Asia for NatWest Markets, The Global Co-Head of Equity Prime and Corporate Derivatives. Mr Howard was a member of the Equities Management Committee, a responsible officer and executive officer with board-level experience for Hong Kong Regulated Banking and Securities entities. 

Mr Howard began his career with JPMorgan where he worked in the Equity Derivative Group from 1994 to 2004, undertaking roles in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong; taking a leadership role for one of their Asian trading businesses since 2000.

He has served as a Board Advisor to the Sydney Stock Exchange, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for a Hong Kong NGO focusing on health outcomes.

Born the United Kingdom and raised in East Africa, he returned to England to study at University in Surrey. He has completed professional programmes with the London Business School and Oxford University. Socially he is a member of the Chatham House, Foreign Correspondents Club, the Royal Geographical Society, and contributes to a charity supporting veterans with PTSD.