The story of Howden

The story of Howden

The story of Howden is simple and inspirational — three friends founded a business because they wanted to offer insurance with a difference. Since then, our people have specialised in distinctive solutions and exceptional service, making the complex simpler for clients around the world.

Trust, friendship, employee ownership and innovation

Established in London in 1994, David Howden and his friends believed they could revolutionise the way insurance was done. Their solution was to establish an organisation based on four key themes: trust, friendship, employee ownership and innovation. Now in our 30th year, these four themes continue to serve as our foundation.

Three years ago, we opened Howden in the Pacific in response to the increasingly rigid and mechanistic approach to insurance, shaped by the consolidation of the broking industry and the growing focus on transactional approaches to risk. 

Recognising the need for a large international broker with a different approach, entrepreneurial spirit, drive and determination, we combined local expertise with our substantial global capacity to build a passionate team in the region. 

As a bold, privately owned organisation, we have the freedom to make strategic decisions that others simply cannot. 

A big business with the values of a small business 

Howden has 20,000 employees around the world and operates in 55 territories and 115 countries. 

Although we’re a globally interconnected business, we maintain the flexibility, agility and entrepreneurial mindset of a small broking house. This approach sets us apart and enables us to deliver differentiated value in the market. Both locally and internationally, we possess the unique ability to act swiftly, adapt effectively and operate with boldness.

By adopting a nimble approach, we’re able to challenge the market’s status quo. Our goal is to offer clients genuine choice and to truly partner with them as a trusted extension of their business. 

Our team combines diversity of thought with like-minded values to innovate personal, meaningful solutions. We are all driven by the authentic desire to make a difference for our clients.  

Shoulder to shoulder

Howden is genuinely a people-first business, both for our team and for our clients. 

Through decentralised collaborative autonomy, we’ve built a culture where people feel comfortable to not only be themselves, but to become the best versions of themselves — an approach that ultimately benefits our clients. Our team is empowered to make decisions, spearhead projects and approach challenges with creativity, so they can continue to deliver exceptional outcomes.

We approach challenges and ambitions from our clients’ perspectives by engaging in discussions, actively listening and working closely with them to understand their risk appetite and their business growth objectives. 

This process shapes our bespoke solutions. Insurance is an essential part of supporting client operations and we deliver it with agility, flexibility and speed to meet their needs.

While others may say how improbable, how onerous, how enterprising, how logistical, how uncharted or even how impossible, we say: here’s how — Howden.