Howden acquires leading independent EB broker NIP

Howden Forsikringsmegling AS (“Howden Norway”), part of Howden Broking Group (“Howden”), today announced that it has acquired a majority share ownership in Norwegian Insurance Partner AS (“NIP”), an Employee Benefits broker, located in Bergen, Norway.

Together Howden Norway and NIP will join to become a top-five broker in the country and the market leader in Employee Benefits.

Geir Nygaard, Founder and CEO, NIP, will continue to lead operations in Bergen and work closely with Anders Kvan, CEO, Howden Norway, who is based in Oslo.

José Manuel González, CEO, Howden, said: “After the acquisition of Punter Southall in the UK earlier in the year, our global Employee Benefits practice continues to go from strength to strength. Not only are we bolstering our capabilities for clients, but we prove ourselves once again to be the preferred home for independent, entrepreneurial talent.”

Anders Kvan added: “NIP aligns perfectly with our ambitions in the market. This partnership strengthens our local business and positions us to provide existing and prospective clients with a complete offering in Norway across Affinity, Employee Benefits and all Property & Casualty classes better enabling us to serve our clients going forward.”

Geir Nygaard, CEO of NIP commented: “We look very much forward to working closely together with Howden and offering our clients a wider international network. Howden’s expertise in Norway, particularly within P&C and Affinity products, will complement NIP’s strengths in the areas of Employee Benefits and Professional Indemnity insurances, and joining forces will enable us to offer our clients and prospective clients a better overall product. Our two companies share a common approach to customer service and core values, which is fundamental to our future success.”

Howden Norway was founded in August 2006 as NorthEdge Forsikringsmegling AS and acquired by Howden in October 2013. Since then, Howden Norway has demonstrated one of the strongest organic growth track records within Howden.