Howden shuffles leadership after ‘transformational’ organic growth in Asia

International insurance broker  Howden has tapped its financial lines leader to run its largest retail broking operation in Asia as chief executive officer following a period of “transformational” organic growth.

Jenny Lim has been promoted to the role of CEO,  Howden Singapore, with Karen Yeo leading the financial lines division, Singapore. Goh Chye Huat will remain regional CEO for  Howden Asia.

Singapore,  Howden's Asia regional headquarter, is an important market for the broker, where it claims to have experienced “transformational, mostly organic growth” under the leadership of Lim, alongside incumbent CEO Chye Huat and three other executive directors – Gerard Lee, Primus Lee and Gracy Khoo.

Lim joined  Howden in 2015 as executive director, head of financial lines, and as a member of the Howden Singapore Executive Committee. Under her leadership,  Howden said the financial lines division has trebled in size, expanded into the sub-specialisms of financial institutions, cyber, healthcare and M&A insurance.

“The hard work, commitment and genuine care that my colleagues bring to this business motivates me to be a better leader,” Lim said. “My job as CEO will be to protect and grow our People First culture and to enable everyone to be the best they can be by embracing the voice of all employees and embedding their feedback into our strategy.  People First is an ethos that sits at the heart of everything we do at Howden, and it will continue to be the engine of growth for a sustainable business in Singapore.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the Financial Lines team has achieved to date and look forward to seeing it continue to grow from strength to strength under Karen’s leadership.”

Chye Huat, CEO  Howden Asia, said: “Over the 20+ years I’ve worked with Jenny, her energy, instincts and unparalleled ability to connect with people have led her to excel in the face of every challenge. She embodies the values of our organisation and has been an integral member of the team that has built Howden Singapore into the market-leading broker it is today.

“Under Jenny’s leadership, I look forward to seeing  Howden Singapore continuing to thrive as the broker of choice for clients who want to partner with local specialists backed by the resources of a global broker, and for talented individuals looking for a workplace where they can truly carve their own path.”

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