Howden Group Holdings

Howden Group Holdings is a leading global insurance and risk advisory firm, renowned for its employee-owned structure and innovative approach to risk management. Established in 1994 by David Howden, the company has expanded from a modest team of three individuals to a multinational enterprise with over 18,000 professionals operating across more than 100 countries.

The company's diverse service offerings encompass retail, specialty, wholesale, underwriting, reinsurance, and capital markets. Through its retail division, Howden provides specialized insurance and risk management services to a wide range of clients, including individual private clients, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations.

This division operates in over 100 territories, delivering tailored solutions to complex insurance challenges.

Service Divisions

In the specialty sector, Howden offers deep expertise to understand clients' unique issues, providing insight and technical knowledge across various insurance classes.

The wholesale division, which began as a Directors and Officers (D&O) wholesale broker in 1994, continues to support a vast network of broker partners, emphasizing strong relationships and sector expertise.

The underwriting arm, DUAL, established in 1998, has grown to become one of the world's largest international managing general agents, operating in 21 countries and offering solutions across 70 product lines.

Howden's reinsurance division, Howden Re, manages approximately $17 billion in gross written premiums and is recognized as one of the top-tier global reinsurance brokers, growing three times faster than its competitors.

This division provides clients with access to a global distribution network, data-driven reinsurance expertise, and market-leading talent, underpinned by bespoke analytics and advisory services.

The capital markets division offers expertise in a broad range of insurance carrier and insurance services companies, advising clients on effective strategies designed to achieve optimal pricing and terms.

This includes a variety of company financing transactions such as:

• Traditional methods
• Collateralized reinsurance
• Insurance-linked securities

Employee Ownership and Culture

A distinctive feature of Howden Group Holdings is its employee ownership model, which fosters a culture of trust, integrity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

This structure empowers employees to take ownership of their decisions and actions, driving innovation and exceptional service delivery.

As of 2024, approximately 30% of employees hold shares, making it the fifth-largest employee-owned business in the UK.

Locations

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, Howden Group Holdings has a significant global presence with offices in:

• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Middle East
• The United States, including a key office in Bayonne, NJ, USA
• Latin America

Leadership and Growth

Under the leadership of CEO David Howden, the company has achieved substantial growth, with revenues totaling more than £3 billion and a workforce of over 20,000 employees across 55 countries.

This growth is attributed to strategic acquisitions and integrations, including:

• The acquisition of independent employee benefits broker Norwegian Insurance Partner AS in 2019
• Independent Greek broker Matrix Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers

These acquisitions have enhanced the company's offerings significantly.

Corporate Mission

Howden Group Holdings continues to prioritize its "people first" ethos, driving its mission to be the world's largest employee-owned insurance intermediary group.

The company delivers innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients worldwide.