Major C-suite reshuffle at Howden to ‘transform’ business after £1bn+ Aston Lark deal

International insurance broking group  Howden has shuffled its top-tier global management with a host of new appointments as the company looks to reshape its business ahead of its largest-ever acquisition to date - a deal to  acquire rival broker  Aston Lark.

Under the new structure, Chris Evans will assume the newly created role of deputy CEO of Howden Broking. He will be responsible for developing and enhancing Howden’s client service capabilities and will play a critical role in the integration of the UK business with Aston Lark. He is also Chair of A-Plan Group. Evans joined Howden in 2005, then Windsor, and assumed the role of deputy CEO, Howden, UK following the merger of RKH and Howden.

Additionally, Alistair Barrett will take up the position of COO, Howden Broking, with a strong focus on the business' operational infrastructure. Barrett joined Howden, then RKH, over 19 years ago and most recently was COO of Howden, UK where he oversaw the integration of RKH Specialty and Howden UK.

Furthermore, Rebecca Scott will become new chief risk officer (CRO) of Howden Group, ensuring the business has the fundamental risk management practices in place for the next phase of growth. She will also continue to lead Howden group operations.

Isabelle Cadignan has been appointed chief of staff and head of planning, Howden Broking. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring regional coordination across key internal strategies. Cadignan was previously managing director, Howden One, Howden’s retail broking partner network.

These promotions follow the previous appointment of Carl Shuker to lead Howden’s UK & Ireland business as CEO, including the existing Howden UK retail specialist business, A-Plan Group and Aston Lark, with Peter Blanc acting as executive chairman.

The Howden UK & Ireland and Global Specialty divisions will share one executive support team. Andy Bragoli will assume the role of CEO of Howden’s Global Specialty operations with Paul Redgate as chair.

Howden agreed to acquire Aston Lark from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Bowmark Capital in October last year.

The Aston Lark deal is Howden’s largest acquisition to date, Upon completion, the merger, alongside A-Plan Group and Howden’s existing UK broking business, is expected to create a UK business managing over £6 billion of gross written premium with more than 6,000 employees.

“The acquisition of Aston Lark acts as a catalyst for a major transformation of our proposition both in the UK and globally,” said José Manuel González (pictured), CEO of Howden Broking.

“We have made announcements of the top-tier Howden management structure and we will communicate the progression of further appointments to fully integrate the business as we near completion of the acquisition to provide better solutions and service to our clients.”

Commenting on the new appointments, González added: “Chris and Al have been instrumental in setting up our UK business for future growth and, with the acquisition of Aston Lark, we will be the number one independent broker in our home market. Now it is time for them to turn their focus to our global operations and support me as we develop and enhance Howden’s global capabilities.”

González continued: “The acquisition of Aston Lark makes Howden the number one independent broker in the UK with over 6,000 employees across the UK and Ireland. Bringing together these teams under one management structure means we will be able to service the full spectrum of clients’ needs. The combination of Carl, who has been living and breathing the retail world for decades, and Peter, a highly respected figure in the UK market with an equally impressive track record, will be formidable.”

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