In the press: interview with Howden's Asia CEOs

APAC Outlook article: putting people at the heart of insurance

Howden Asia CEO, Goh Chye Huat, and Howden Specialty APAC CEO, Paul O'Neill, explain how we are helping clients to tackle the immediate challenges they face, as well as working with insurers to develop the solutions that will protect businesses against the future risks of an ever-changing world. 

In this interview, which originally appeared in APAC Outlook magazine, Goh and O'Neill describe how our culture of embracing change, and long-term focus have enabled us to pivot, innovate and adapt to ensure our employees and clients have been taken care of during a year of significant change. Goh explains:

"We are working with our clients to find smart ways to mitigate the impact of the challenges they're facing. We are leveraging our own data and analytical intelligence, and working with clients and insurers to look at what innovations in product development and delivery are going to help clients adapt to, and thrive in, a post-COVID world." 

O'Neill describes how Howden is responding to systemic risks, like pandemics and cyber attacks, which are extremely complicated for the insurance market to respond to with traditional risk transfer products:

"We are exploring parametric-based solutions - where the policy pays out an agreed amount in response to an event hitting specific parameters, rather than payment being tied to actual financial loss - and other non-traditional products, like structured solutions."

They both agree that Howden's employee-ownership model is a key differentiator: 

"We don't make short term decisions because of pressure from shareholders; we are the shareholders, and we make decisions based on what will help us to build a sustainable business." Goh explains. 

O'Neill adds: "Howden's culture is very dynamic with little bureaucracy... There's this sense of empowerment and of there being no limits to what you can achieve."

You can read the full article, which originally appeared in APAC Outlook magazine (December 2020 issue) by clicking here.