Howden announces changes to its Executive Committee as it continues to re-shape business ahead of Aston Lark completion

Howden, the international insurance broking group, today announced a series of changes to its global management team to further position Howden as the credible alternative of scale providing clients with more choice and better access to experts.

This follows the announcement that Howden has agreed to acquire Aston Lark, subject only to regulatory approvals, which alongside A-Plan Group and Howden’s existing UK broking business, will create a full-service broker with the broadest geographic and product reach in the UK and Ireland. 
 
José Manuel González, CEO, Howden Broking commented: “The acquisition of Aston Lark acts as a catalyst for a major transformation of our proposition both in the UK and globally. 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.”

 
Global appointments 

Chris Evans has been promoted to Deputy CEO, Howden Broking. In this newly created role, Evans 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. 
 
In addition, Alistair Barrett assumes the role of COO, Howden Broking. Barrett will focus on ensuring Howden’s operational infrastructure is fit to support its fast-growing business. 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. 
 
González said: “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.” 
 
Rebecca Scott assumes the role of Chief Risk Officer, Howden Group ensuring the business has the fundamental risk management practices in place for this new period 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.

UK & Ireland 

These promotions follow the earlier announcement that Carl Shuker will 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. Andy Bragoli assumes the role of CEO of Howden’s Global Specialty operations with Paul Redgate as Chair. The Howden UK & Ireland and Global Specialty divisions will share one executive support team. 
 
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.”