Tag Archives: Howden

Appointments, Business, Cardiff, Insurance, Swansea

Howden Insurance announces Dafydd James as latest recruit

Howden Insurance, the global insurance group, has announced Dafydd James, former Wales Rugby Union and British & Irish Lions player, as latest recruit to its South Wales team.

 

Dafydd joins as Business Executive, leaving his previous role at Lockton, and will be covering Howden’s South Wales, South West and global offices.

 

Dafydd will bring his drive and team-first mentality to bolster Howden’s risk strategy services from cyber liability to marine engineering, aviation, and renewable industries.

 

Speaking on his appointment, Dafydd said: “I am thrilled to be joining Howden’s team in South Wales. With its local presence and global footprint, I was drawn to its community- driven approach and the opportunities that lie ahead.

 

“I am a results-driven professional focused on building long-lasting, meaningful business relationships, which makes Howden the perfect fit for me. My goal is to deliver bespoke insurance solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs, creating value far beyond the initial transaction. I see my role as a trusted advisor, committed to providing insight, guidance and continuity that fosters long-term client retention.”

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to have Dafydd with us at our South Wales office. His drive and determination from his career as an athlete, coupled with his professionalism, makes him the perfect fit for us as a Business Executive. He has already proved to be a great asset to the team, throwing himself into our community events from day one, and I am confident that he will help us to continue providing outstanding service to clients.”

Appointments, Business, South Wales

Howden announces five insurance appointments in south Wales

Howden has welcomed five insurance experts to its growing team.

 

Chris Knowles, Stuart Daviss and Geraint Jones join the team as account handlers, and Simon Peasley and Andrew Davies join as account executives.

 

Stuart and Geraint join Howden’s Cardiff office and Chris joins the Swansea office as account handlers, leaving their previous roles at Thomas Carroll and Towergate. In their new roles they will be working closely with Howden’s account executives to secure the best terms and cover for clients in a variety of sectors, as well as developing new business.

 

On his appointment, Chris said: “I am delighted to have joined Howden’s south Wales office. It is a fantastic opportunity to join an experienced and knowledgeable team in a brand-new location for Howden. I look forward to helping Howden achieve our ambitious targets and grow in south Wales.”

 

On his appointment, Stuart commented: “My first six months at Howden have been a whirlwind in the best way. I am thrilled to have joined such a skilled and experienced team, and I’m excited to continue to utilise my experience and Howden’s resources to deliver exceptional service to clients. I chose to move to Howden to join a progressive broker that is already paving the way with its growth, and of course working with Gary Stevens and the whole team is a joy.”

 

On his appointment, Geraint said: “The opportunity to join Howden at an impressive period of growth and to work with an exceptional team of professionals is very exciting. I am looking forward to forging relationships with insurers and new clients alike, with the goal of making Howden the number one broker in the south Wales region.”

 

Simon Peasley and Andrew Davies join Howden’s Swansea office as account executives, with previous experience at Towergate. In their new roles, they will be growing the Howden presence within Wales and leveraging Howden’s client-centric culture to build stronger relationships and explore new initiatives.

 

On his appointment, Simon said: “I see Howden as the perfect fit for the next step in my career. The opportunity to join a professional business with a fantastic reputation that is growing from strength to strength is invaluable. I hope to further grow the Howden brand within Wales and add further value to the business with my experience in the sector and win business from our rival brokers.”

 

On his appointment, Andrew said: “Howden has built a strong reputation for fostering a supportive and collaborative culture, and this is what drew me to the organisation. This combination of a strong internal culture, a dynamic market position, and a focus on specialised knowledge is something I find incredibly appealing. My main goal is to make a tangible impact and contribute to the team’s continued success as quickly as possible.”

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed such a strong cohort of recruits to our south Wales offices. Chris, Stuart, Geraint, Simon and Andrew all represent the high standards we hold for ourselves and our staff in delivering excellent insurance services to clients, and they are exceptional assets to our growing team.

 

“Strengthening our presence in south Wales has been a driving force for us over the last year, and I am incredibly proud of the community we have created.”

Charity, Charity Events, Insurance, News, Swansea

Howden’s south Wales offices compete in fundraising event

Howden’s Cardiff and Swansea teams went head-to-head as colleagues from the global insurance group and Principal Partner of the British & Irish Lions competed to raise as much as possible for local charities. Each office hosted its own Lions-themed event, complete with a match watch party, as part of the company’s wider efforts to support good causes through sport and community engagement.

 

The events on July 2, held at Elevens in Cardiff and the Swansea.com Stadium in Swansea, welcomed over 200 guests in total to watch the British & Irish Lions take on the Queensland Reds in a victory made all the sweeter for the Swansea office by Ospreys star Jac Morgan taking centre stage and being named Man of the Match in Australia.

 

Guests at the event were joined by multiple Wales and Lions rugby heroes including Shane Williams, Glenn Webb, Craig Quinell, Rhodri Jones, Iestyn Hopkins and Dafydd James in Swansea, and Martyn Madden, Andrew Coombs, Steve Moore and Andy Powell in Cardiff.

 

With both offices fundraising for their nominated charities, the Cardiff event raised over £1,300 for Maggie’s Cancer Charity, and Swansea over £2,500 for local charity Joseph’s Smile.

 

Both teams held exclusive raffles, with multiple items signed by notable sporting legends including British & Irish Lions jerseys and rugby balls, and boxing gloves, kindly donated by Wales’ first women’s world boxing champion Lauren Price. Swansea’s event also held a hotly contested auction for a British & Irish Lions shirt signed by Gareth Edwards, which one generous bidder took home for £400.

 

Swansea’s charity of choice, Joseph’s Smile, provides grants to ill children to enable them to access lifesaving or life-changing medical treatment or equipment that’s currently not available to them on the NHS, as well as raising awareness, support and research for childhood cancer.

 

Cardiff’s charity Maggie’s is a national charity, with centres across the UK offering support and care for those with cancer and their loved ones. Their Cardiff and Swansea centres host a range of services including support groups and stress management workshops, fostering a safe space for those affected by cancer.

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “It was wonderful to see both our south Wales offices go above and beyond in our fundraising challenge. Maggie’s and Joseph’s Smile charities are close to the hearts of us all at Howden Wales. Their work is truly life changing so we jumped at the chance to raise as much money as possible through our raffles and auctions, and we are incredible grateful for the generosity of all those who attended.

 

“Not only were we able to raise such fantastic amounts for both charities, but it was a wonderful opportunity to bring our local communities together and enjoy the Lions’ victory against the Reds. It was an additional honour for us to be able to present Ospreys’ CEO Lance Bradley with their Lions Origin plaque, and especially to see the Ospreys’ own Jac Morgan doing such a fantastic job representing Wales out in Australia.”

Charity Events, Charity News, Swansea, Wales

Howden aims high in charity challenge

Howden, the global insurance group, is raising vital funds and awareness for Maggie’s Cancer Care charity in a skyrocketing challenge.

 

30 members of staff from Howden’s Corporate & Commercial offices across the UK have committed to embark on Maggie’s Wing Walk, a challenge that will see them strapped to the top wing of a vintage biplane, soaring through the sky at 150 mph above a historic WW1 airfield.

 

Deborah Barber is representing Howden’s south Wales offices with her participation in the challenge.

 

Howden has extended its fundraising goal to a collective target of £40,000, with some members like Deborah setting their own personal goals to exceed expectations for the charity.

 

Maggie’s is a national charity, with centres across the UK offering support and care for those with cancer and their loved ones. Their Cardiff and Swansea centres host a range of services including support groups and stress management workshops, fostering a safe space for those affected by cancer.

 

The team can be supported by donating to Deborah’s personal fundraising page or Howden’s central Wingwalking fundraising page.

 

Deborah Barber, Development Executive at Howden, said: “I am incredibly excited and nervous to be taking part in this challenge. Not only will we be flying high in the sky, but we’ll also be performing high-energy manoeuvres such as high-speed dips, dives, steep climbs, and 90-degree banked turns. But it’s all worth it to raise funds for Maggie’s.

 

“The work and care that Maggie’s provides to people across the UK is truly inspirational and that’s why I have chosen to set my own personal fundraising goal of £1,000 to maximise the amount of support we can give them. I look forward to taking on this challenge and to collaborate with our UK offices, and hope to inspire others to give what they can to this incredible cause.”

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “I’m extremely proud of Deborah for representing our south Wales team and taking on such a challenge for Maggie’s. The charity holds a special place in our hearts for a lot of us at our south Wales offices, and the work they do across Cardiff and Swansea especially is life-changing, so I’m delighted that we’re able to give back and amplify such an important cause.

 

“Good luck to all those who will be taking part in the challenge, and please give what you can to support Maggie’s work.”

 

For more information on Maggie’s, visit: https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-cardiff/

Appointments, Business Expansion, Business News

Howden Insurance makes two key appointments to account management team

Howden, the global insurance group, has welcomed two new appointments, Hannah Joyce and David Bennett, to its Wales offices.

Hannah joins Howden from Thomas Carroll, having previously worked at Davies Craddock and NFU Mutual. As account executive she will specialise in building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with commercial clients to contribute to the growth of Howden’s south Wales branch.

On her appointment, Hannah said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my time at Howden. I was drawn to the company due to the fast-paced, challenging and exciting environment that is interrupting the existing broker network in south Wales.

“I am confident that with the reach of Howden and my desire to build long-standing relationships with clients, I will be able to provide great value risk advice and insurance protection.”

David joins the team following his role as commercial director at Cornerstone Commercial Insurance.  Previously in a senior management and operations role, he will be moving back to a client-facing sales and advisory position, bringing his expertise in sectors such as leisure, property owners and manufacturing.

On his appointment, David said: “I am delighted to have joined the sales and risk management team at such a renowned company. Howden has really raised its profile in recent years and the expansion into South Wales means we have a very exciting future ahead.

“Personally, I am looking forward to forging relationships with new clients and insurers across the region, and I am particularly excited to assist Howden in achieving our customer-centric goals.”

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, added: “Hannah and David are both exceptional assets to our account management team and they have already shown their potential to spearhead what we can do for clients in 2025. As we kick off the new year, I am confident that our team will continue to grow in providing tailored and practical solutions to our clients and expanding the opportunities for the South Wales offices.”

Appointments, Business, Business Expansion

Howden leads the way in expert recruitment and growth opportunities in south Wales

HOWDEN, the global insurance intermediary group, is continuing its period of growth in south Wales as it places its focus on corporate and commercial growth.

Currently undergoing a recruitment surge, Howden Wales attracts new talent through its unique employee ownership model, different from the traditional share price and shareholder value model, and is setting its sights on further growth to maximise its potential in providing solution-based insurance support to its growing clientele in south Wales.

Stephen Yandle is the latest expert recruit to be enticed by Howden’s model, joining as regional corporate and commercial sales director for Wales.

Stephen joins with extensive experience in regional sales, having previously been regional corporate, health & benefits sales director at Aon, and was drawn by Howden’s exciting growth prospects and opportunities.

Speaking on what attracted him to Howden and what he hopes to achieve in his new role, Stephen said: “As a proud Welshman, the opportunity to join Howden and drive corporate and commercial growth within Wales was one I could not turn down. After spending time with Gary Stevens and the senior leaders at Howden, and hearing the visions and challenges ahead, I knew I had to jump at the chance to work in this environment and towards their strategic objectives. It is clear to see the extensive expertise that Howden holds in Wales, from its partners to senior leaders, and their unwavering dedication to our clients displays the true potential that there is to deliver and provide them with our solution-focused approach.

“In just my first few weeks I witnessed first-hand how the business is literally buzzing with ideas. We are encouraged to join in with the entrepreneurial spirit, bring new ideas and speak up for the value of our current and future clients. After meeting with many of our insurer partners, I can see how committed they are to supporting us in Wales.

“Howden’s unique employee ownership model really makes us stand out, and allows us to constantly put our clients at the heart of everything that we do.”

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, added: “Our staff are incredibly valued, and we take great care over our recruitment process to ensure we welcome the best of the best to our team so that our clients receive a service that is consistently at the top of its game. We encourage newcomers to get stuck into projects straight away and welcome their contributions. Stephen represents yet another fantastic addition to the team and his skills, expertise and enthusiasm in supporting and driving our core values at Howden makes him a perfect fit.”

Business, Charity Events

Charity Cath raises thousands for cancer

Swansea’s Catherine Robinson, account executive at Howden’s south Wales office, has raised £4,833 for multiple cancer care charities since April 2023.

Starting with the London Marathon in 2023, Catherine raised £3,453 for Young Lives vs Cancer. The following year, she ran the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the same charity, raising £1,130 and additionally raised £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support through taking part in its Marathon Hike in July of this year.

Catherine will be running the London Marathon once again to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer in April 2025.

On why fundraising for these charities is so important to her, Catherine said: “I am in true amazement of Young Lives vs Cancer and their work. When completing the London Marathon in 2023, I was greeted by an inspiring young volunteer who had a terminal brain tumour, and this was the moment I knew I had to help the charity as much as I could. The charity has given me so much support both in mindset of running 26.2 miles and raising the funds.

“My fundraising for Macmillan was more of a personal story. My mam beat cancer in 2021 under the support of Macmillan, but we sadly then lost my stepdad suddenly to cancer in June 2023. So, when my friend asked me to do the marathon hike this year which fell on my stepdad’s birthday, I knew I couldn’t say no. While this was emotional to complete on such an important date, it was an honour to give something back to the charity and play a part in helping those who need it in the future.

Catherine’s boss Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden Wales, said: “We are incredibly proud and in awe of Catherine and everything she has managed to do for these charities. We support her every step of the way and strongly encourage anyone who can to donate via her Enthuse page. We wish her all the best with London 2025.”

You can support Catherine’s fundraising for Young Lives vs Cancer here.

Appointments, Investment, Investment News, South Wales

Howden appoints Account Director to accelerate growth in Wales

HOWDEN, the global insurance intermediary group, has appointed Tony Barber as Account Director as it continues to grow its presence in South Wales.

 

Tony will be based in Cardiff, covering Wales and its surrounding regions, and joins the team having previously worked as Account Director at Willis Towers Watson.

 

In his new role, Tony will help drive Howden’s positive growth in Wales by supporting larger and more complex clients, developing and implementing comprehensive risk management and insurance strategies.

 

Commenting on his appointment, Tony said: “I am thrilled to be joining Howden’s Cardiff office and to build on its already fantastic growth.

 

“I was drawn to Howden due to its employee ownership model as it cultivates a collaborative culture amongst colleagues to the benefit of clients, as well as its renowned entrepreneurial culture.

 

“I’m excited to join a new team and am looking forward to playing a part in shaping Howden’s strategy in South Wales.”

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “Tony is yet another fantastic addition to our Cardiff team, and has already made an extraordinary impact in accelerating our growth and creating new ways in which we can support our clients.

 

“As we continue to grow our Howden team in Wales, I have every confidence that we will continue on our upwards trajectory and expand even further across south and west Wales.”

Business, Business Expansion, Insurance, Investment

New Cardiff office for insurance group Howden

Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, has announced the opening of a new office in Cardiff, to support businesses with tailored insurance solutions.

Located at Regus House, Malthouse Avenue, in Cardiff Gate Business Park, the new office will build on the success of the recently inaugurated office in Swansea last month and Howden’s acquisition of Watkin Davies in 2020. The addition of a new Cardiff office underscores Howden’s dedication to becoming a prominent force in the commercial broking sector in South and West Wales. The expansion will be spearheaded by Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, who has outlined ambitious plans to position Howden as the foremost competitor in the region.

Gary expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating: “I am very pleased to lead the opening of yet another office in Wales. An office in Cardiff was the natural choice for our expansion, and we are confident that by increasing our presence in South Wales by growing our team of advisors to 20+ enabling us to continuing to provide exceptional services to our clients.”

Under Gary’s leadership, the new Cardiff office is set to accommodate a team of six highly skilled brokers, who will work to uphold Howden’s commitment to excellence in risk advisory services, with more brokers set to join in the coming months. The team will play a pivotal role in driving the growth of Howden’s UK Corporate & Commercial pillar throughout 2024.

Gary added: “We’ve already made great headway in attracting a team of highly skilled brokers, and we anticipate significant growth throughout 2024. Our new Cardiff office, working closely with our Swansea operation, will play a key role in cementing our position as a leader in the South and West Wales commercial broking sector.

“We are very excited about our South Wales presence, and also becoming a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions for their forthcoming tour of Australia in 2025.”