Howden takes another step towards being top independent broker in Europe

Howden, the London-based international specialty broker that is part of the Hyperion Insurance Group and 46% staff-owned, aims to become the leading European-based broker through a strategy of organic growth, acquisitions and hiring expert talent, CEO José Manuel González told Commercial Risk Europe. Mr González laid out his ambitious growth plans as it was announced that Barnaby Rugge-Price has been appointed chair of the group. Mr González said the merger of Howden's international retail network with its specialty and reinsurance group RKH will provide customers with more simplicity and clarity, as well as easier access to the group’s expertise and global reach though its operations in 30 different countries. He said the consolidated platform and unified management team represents a “new era” for the broking group. He said Howden is positioning the $7bn GWP combined international broking business for the next stage of its ambitious growth plan and seizing new opportunities that today’s evolving environment presents. The CEO said there are now few options available for customers that want to deal with a broker that has broad expertise and access to key specialty markets such as London, Bermuda, Dubai and Singapore, as well as a serious global network of owned offices staffed and run by locals. He said Howden’s continuing commitment to embrace change, invest in innovation and drive market transformation means it is perfectly placed to service clients looking for a real alternative in a market where choice is diminishing. “We are a global broker but act local. No single CEO of a Howden company is an expatriate – they are all local. We believe in the need for a local approach but we also have access to all the international capabilities needed in London, Bermuda, Dubai or Singapore. It works like a perfect machine,” explained Mr González. “When we have a CFO of a construction company based in Munich and they have a need for surety cover for their Australian business, we are able to serve that client locally in Australia, managed from Munich. This makes us different. Not too small that we do not have the reach or so big that we get in our own way,” he continued. Mr Rugge-Price returns to the helm of the broking business from his recent position as CEO of Hyperion X, the group’s data and analytics arm. He will retain his role as executive chair of Hyperion X, with Paul Johnston named as its new CEO. Mr Rugge-Price said of his new role: “This represents the ultimate affirmation of the rationale to bring together the RKH and Howden businesses into one group and now formally merge them into one company aligned behind one strong leadership team. I am excited to move back into the heart of the broking business with my Hyperion X experience, as we continue to re-evaluate ourselves to better service our clients.” Howden continues to grow in Europe. It now has operations in 14 different European countries and partners in another 20. Its latest move was the recent announcement that it had been granted a licence to operate in the Belgian market, led by industry veteran Herman Kerremans, who was previously chief development officer at JLT in Belgium. Mr Kerremans clearly has ambitious plans for the new Belgian startup: “The Covid-19 crisis has ushered in a rise in rates and a hardening market that will impact insurance programmes for many companies. Furthermore, given Howden’s ambitious drive, which empowers people to offer innovative and thoughtful solutions, we are perfectly positioned to offer clients in the region access to wider group resources and a fresh alternative in a consolidating broker market,” he said. Louise Cable-Alexander, CEO of Europe at Howden Broking Group, suggested that further expansion across the continent can be expected. “Howden Belgium represents another significant investment in Europe as we continue to expand further and deeper into this important region. For clients, this exciting move demonstrates our quick anticipation of their need for choice and our commitment to delivering a specialty-led service on the ground,” she said. The Belgian move came as RKH announced the appointment of 14 new senior aviation experts in London and Colombia, as part of the group’s wider plan to build the largest independent logistics team.

Howden takes another step towards being top independent broker in Europe

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