Ed Watson Email and Phone Number

Long before my career started, I took a course on political economy. The professor taught me how to think – specifically, how to break down models to understand how they work. I discovered how to identify structures, drivers and interdependencies, and how to spot gaps and vulnerabilities. This analytical approach – taking elements apart, examining connections and finding solutions – has been with me ever since.Today, I’m a Senior CLO Structurer (Executive Director) and part of the leadership of JP Morgan’s CLO business in Europe. Known for my rapid execution, I take complex challenges – financial, structural or legal – unpack and simplify them into tradable elements, ready for offering. This includes managing people too – leading multiparty negotiations, managing investors and reconciling client risk/reward requirements.Success in the CLO market is all about relationships, risk and resilience, which were driven home whilst serving in the US Marines and completing a tour in Iraq.At Bear Stearns in New York, I navigated the transition from an analyst on the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) desk to the head of the CLO and ABS CDO reverse-engineering desk. After relocating to London and a move to JPM, this technical background proved crucial and I became the point person for valuing complex distressed securities, allowing us to take risk positions and trade them.Over the past 5 years, I’ve elevated our position to the top of the European new issue league tables, pricing over 100 transactions and closing landmark deals for 9 of the top 10 Global AUM-ranked CLO managers, including Europe’s largest post-financial-crisis CLO.Someone recently asked what I’m most proud of and it’s the moments which have shaped my values – transparency, clearly defined ethics and leaning into mistakes; uplifting colleagues and creating processes that the team carry forward, whilst keeping a cool head. Moments where I can think, reflect and learn. I lead by doing and believe that you are what you do when it counts. Which for me involves getting back into competitive indoor rowing, where you’ll find me when I’m not at my desk – or, when the British weather allows, cycling in the Lake District.If you're looking for someone with the financial, leadership and negotiation expertise to elevate your platform – let's talk. Specialities: Leveraged Finance | Structured Finance | CLO Pricing | Distressed CDO Tranche Trading | Tranche Risk Assessment | Reverse Engineering