Howden grows in Luxembourg with two acquisitions

Howden has established a retail presence in Luxembourg with the acquisition of the portfolio of United Brokers, and has also acquired WDR Insurance Group. Howden said the acquisitions reflect its strategy “to invest in expertise and partner with culturally aligned firms to expand its geographical footprint into local markets for the benefit of its clients”.

United Brokers is a Luxembourg-based financial lines specialist. Howden has established a branch in Luxembourg City, partnering with Jacques Emsix, the branch representative and former owner of the portfolio.

WDR specialises in property and casualty as well as employee benefits product lines servicing corporates, public sector and SME clients. It has offices in Drogenbos, Aalst, and Antwerp, complementing existing Howden offices in Zaventem and Uccle. The broker said the acquisition also facilitates the growth of its business in the Antwerp region, including the Port of Antwerp, where the company already serves several clients.

Herman Kerremans, CEO, Howden Belgium, said: “These two acquisitions reinforce our commitment to Belgium and the wider region, and reflect our strategy to invest in talent and to deepen our expertise for the benefit of our clients. With strong strategic and cultural alignment, WDR and United are the ideal partners for Howden as we cement our position as the natural home for independent insurance brokers looking to give clients access to the expertise and specialisms of an international network within their local market.”

Howden Belgium obtained its broking license to operate in the country in June 2020.

Marie-Anne Van Kerckhoven, Arnaut Ingels and Walter Huybrechts, managing directors, WDR Insurance Group, said: “Even though WDR is already a well-known broker in our selected markets, we’ve been on the lookout for a partner with international reach for years. Howden is the perfect fit for our expanding business – sufficiently large to offer advanced solutions in a complex global market yet still wholly dedicated to delivering the very best service for our clients.”

Emsix added: “Over the past two decades, we’ve established a robust business portfolio in Luxembourg, and joining forces with Howden is the perfect opportunity to further grow our presence in the market. Our alignment with their entrepreneurial spirit and client-centric approach is a key factor, and we’re eager to leverage Howden’s extensive network to enhance our ability to meet our clients’ needs more effectively.”