Howden nabs ex-AIG/WTW climate risk expert to improve resilience & sustainability

International re/insurance broker  Howden has swooped for a climate risk analytics and modelling expert, with a background at  KPMG,  AIG,  WTW and most recently Jupiter Intelligence, in an effort to build out its capabilities in this space and better tackle challenges posed by climate change.

Marc Lehmann (Pictured) joins Howden as head of climate analytics, where he will focus on growing Howden’s climate risk analytics capabilities, through understanding climate risk requirements across the business, building new partnerships, and helping to inform new insurance and risk management solutions for clients. Based in London, he will report to Charlie Langdale, head of climate risk and resilience.

Lehmann, who joins Howden from Jupiter Intelligence, a climate risk data and analytics provider, brings a wealth of both modelling and engineering experience to the role, having previously held senior catastrophe, ESG, climate risk, and climate change resilience positions at KPMG, AIG and WTW.

Howden expalined that historical data has typically not been a reliable indicator to assess mid- and longer term risks, so through the use of predictive analytics it will be able to help clients better identify, evaluate and manage their future exposures and in doing so enhance their asset and operational resilience.

Langdale said: “Historical data is no longer an indicator of the future, so it is critical that we empower brokers across all of our business units with forward looking climate data and analytics intelligence. This will enable them to deliver better insights and outcomes to clients, helping them improve their operational resilience as they respond and adapt to climate change.”

David Flandro, head of analytics at Howden, added: “It has become increasingly clear that intelligent implementation of sustainable underwriting and risk assessment practices can provide competitive advantages to buyers, cedents and markets. Marc’s expertise in modelling sustainability, climate data and engineering will bring new analytical insights to Howden clients.”

Lehmann commented: “Recent events continue to remind us of the need to better understand the impacts of climate change to global businesses and communities at large. By leveraging the use of data analytics and engineering expertise, Howden will be in a position to provide market leading insights to help improve our client’s resilience and to tackle challenges posed by climate change. I am delighted to join such a talented, growing team at Howden, and to be part of the journey of putting insurance at the heart of building a more resilient, sustainable future.”

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