Ashley Howlett (1977-1983)

Having graduated from the University of Otago, my career as a lawyer started in New Zealand and for the next 30 years expanded to the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing working on major construction projects. In 2014 having recently returned to Hong Kong after a 10-year stint in Beijing, where I had opened an office for the international law firm Jones Day, I was approached by Gammon to become their first General Counsel overseeing the legal, insurance and company secretarial functions for the company throughout Asia.

I oversee a team lawyers and administrative staff and we cover all aspects of the construction process from reviewing tender documents, arranging for execution of contracts, procuring insurance, bonds and guarantees, advising on claims as well as resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration and litigation. We have team members specialising in construction law, corporate and commercial law, insurance, dispute resolution as well as compliance issues. The size of our projects range from US$10 million all the way up to US$1 billion and above.

Joining Gammon was a unique opportunity because up until then I had spent my entire career working in law firms, with the last 15 years as a partner heading a multinational construction practice, and so the chance to become more involved in the business side was very exciting. Also, the challenge of moulding a new legal department was one that, while certainly exciting, was also somewhat daunting. I enjoy the much greater commercial exposure that I now have and my knowledge of the industry has increased tremendously by being able to look at issues far more holistically, rather than purely through the legal microscope.

I spent 7 wonderful years at Lindisfarne College and my son, Michael, also spent 7 years at the school. My father briefly taught at Lindisfarne, my brother, Campbell, is the Deputy Rector and his son, Oliver, attended as well, so our family connection runs deep. I have great memories of participating in drama as well as team sports – I was in the 1st XI Soccer and A Tennis Team – and thoroughly enjoyed the competitive aspect as well as the team approach that Lindisfarne fostered. I was also a prefect and head of Oswald House, and learnt some of my earliest lessons in leadership from this time, that even today remain valid. I have many good friendships formed at Lindisfarne that continue to this day – one of my classmates is here in Hong Kong and we regularly get together to reminisce and I also enjoy catching up with the lads when I’m back in the Bay.

To the boys at school today, I say work hard, play hard and don’t take yourself too seriously or get too far ahead of yourself – life is a long journey and you never know where it might take you – even to China – so keep an open mind, don’t be afraid of change and always seek out new challenges.