Howden acquires Swiss Insurance Broker argenius Risk Experts AG

Howden, the international insurance broker, announces today that it has acquired Swiss insurance broker argenius Risk Experts AG (“argenius AG”). The acquisition of argenius AG follows the successful acquisitions of Swiss brokerages Born Consulting, Bachmann & Partners and Broker Center Zurichsee, acquired in 2022 and 2021 respectively and reflects Howden’s continued investment in local specialist expertise for the benefit of clients in the region.

argenius Risk Experts AG is a highly regarded Swiss insurance broker and advises medium-sized and large companies on all insurance and risk issues, specialising in sophisticated risk analysis and portfolio placement. Founded in 2019 by Urs Burger, former CEO of Advantis AG, argenius shares Howden’s principles as an innovative, employee-owned business with an ambitious growth strategy. 

With the addition of argenius, Howden Switzerland will comprise 120 employees and be present in Zurich, Basel, Zug, Bern, Lucerne, Chur, Geneva, Liechtenstein and Lugano.

Felix C. Jenny, CEO of Howden Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, comments: "We would like to welcome Urs and his talented team to Howden at such an exciting time for us in the region. Howden Switzerland is a natural home for independent brokers, providing clients with access to specialist expertise and international reach via its local market. The addition of argenius AG to our fast-growing business brings us another step closer to our desire of becoming one of the leading brokers in Switzerland."

Urs Burger, Managing Director of argenius Risk Experts AG, says: "An entrepreneurial and ambitious mindset has sat at the heart of argenius’ culture since inception, we’re therefore delighted to be joining a fellow employee-owned business which nurtures talent and has ambitious plans for the future. Our reach and brokerage services are second-to-none, and will provide significant value for clients by enabling us to combine our local expertise with Howden’s international reach and access.”

Luigi Sturani, CEO of Howden Europe, comments: "The acquisition of argenius reflects our continued investment in local specialist expertise and further enhances our position as one of the leading brokers in Europe. Howden and argenius AG share the same principles: Top talent, people development and a mutual culture and vision underpinned by a client-centric approach. argenius is an important addition to Howden Europe’s existing capabilities and our ambition to be the broker of choice across the continent, supported by strong organic growth, strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial employees.”