Howden positions itself as a challenger in new era for group

Rugge-Price appointed as Chair of Howden Broking Group to align business behind one leadership team

Howden Broking Group (”Howden”/ “broking group”), the independent insurance broker with employee ownership at its heart, announced today that Barnaby Rugge-Price has been appointed as Chair. In light of the merger of Howden's international retail network with RKH's best-in-class specialty and reinsurance expertise which takes effect in October 2020, this appointment further strengthens Howden’s leadership team behind one simple proposition, providing clarity for clients and seamless access to the broking group’s resources and expertise.

This consolidated platform and unified management team, led by Howden CEO José Manuel González and supported by Chair Barnaby Rugge-Price, represents a new era for the broking group.  Howden is positioning the $7bn GWP combined international broking business for the next stage of its ambitious growth plan and seizing the new opportunities that today’s evolving industry environment presents. Howden’s continuing commitment to embrace change, invest in innovation and drive market transformation means that it is perfectly placed to service clients looking for a real alternative in a market where choice is diminishing.

Rugge-Price returns to the helm of the broking business from his recent position as CEO, Hyperion X, the Group’s data and analytics arm, and will retain his role as Executive Chair of Hyperion X.  The move coincides with Hyperion X’s rapid progression from start-up phase to being a proven and fully operational business delivering market-leading solutions.  Hyperion X has appointed Paul Johnston as its new CEO, who will continue to build on the huge momentum evident since its inception.

Rugge-Price said of his new role: “This represents the ultimate affirmation of the rationale to bring together the RKH and Howden businesses into one group and now formally merge them into one company aligned behind one strong leadership team. I am excited to move back into the heart of the broking business with my Hyperion X experience, as we continue to re-evaluate ourselves to better service our clients. Howden’s entrepreneurial culture, which empowers employees to develop innovative and creative client solutions, along with our People First approach continues to attract the top talent in the market and will power our growth. My role in supporting José Manuel underlines our joint commitment to building out a world-class platform and to embedding data and analytics into the business to deliver client solutions even more effectively.”

González commented: “I am delighted to welcome Barnaby as Chair of Howden Broking Group. His experience and track record in building RKH and latterly Hyperion X is testament to his expertise, entrepreneurial mind set and leadership capability.  These skills will strengthen our ability to take Howden Broking Group forward as we embark on the next phase of our ambitious growth plans. As always, change is the only constant in Howden and the wider world, but we’re confidently in the right company, in the right industry, and at the right time. Together, Barnaby and I will make a formidable team!”