Natural Resources

Protection for every part of the value chain

Natural Resources

Managing a more complex natural resources landscape

Risks are moving faster and connecting in new ways.

Natural resources companies are navigating a more interconnected risk environment that is rapidly evolving. The complexities of surging demand, infrastructure constraints, geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, climate-related challenges and supply chain pressures must now be considered alongside traditional operational risks. 

But risk rarely stays neatly inside one part of the business. The challenge is no longer in managing individual risks, but in understanding how they intersect and impact the broader business. 

That is why modern risk management must go beyond buying coverage for individual issues. A holistic program that reflects how risks interact across your organization will help strengthen resilience, optimize capital efficiency, and respond more effectively to change.

A different model for natural resources risk

When risk is spread across the natural resources value chain, companies need insurance programs that can keep pace with the business. But the market often asks them to choose between technical depth and responsive service.

Large global brokers bring scale, while smaller independents may offer closer attention. Howden’s US Natural Resources practice is built to bring those strengths together.

Our team combines deep industry specialization with the reach of Howden’s global network. Clients get experienced advisors who understand the complexities of their operations, delivered by a platform that removes unnecessary layers that slow the work down.

With hubs in Birmingham, Houston and Boston, the team works with over 200 expert colleagues worldwide to support clients across the utility, power, renewable energy, upstream, midstream, downstream, and mining sectors. The result is a more connected insurance experience, from strategy through service, by a team committed to providing a level of service, accessibility, and advocacy that sets us apart.

Insurance across the natural resources value chain

  • Utilities

    Utilities

    Programs for regulated and non-regulated utilities, designed around infrastructure risk, resilience planning, service obligations, and changing energy demand.

  • Power and renewables

    Power and renewables

    Protection for power generation and renewable energy projects, from construction and project cargo through operations.

  • Midstream

    Midstream

    Risk guidance for pipelines, terminals, storage and transportation assets, including property, liability and project cargo considerations.

  • Upstream

    Upstream

    Insurance strategies for exploration and production, with attention to field operations, contractor exposure, environmental risk, and business interruption.

  • Downstream

    Downstream

    Coverage for refining, processing and related industrial operations where property, casualty, pollution and supply chain risks intersect.

  • Mining

    Mining insurance

    Insurance solutions for mining and heavy industry, shaped around complex sites, equipment, environmental exposures and surety needs.

  • Energy contractors

    Energy contractors

    Specialized coverage and support for energy and utility contractors, including general liability, environmental, auto exposure, professional liability and workers compensation.

Additional areas of support include:

  • Alternative Risk Solutions
  • Captive Advisory
  • Data Centers
  • Due Diligence
  • Engineering and Loss Control
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Political Risk and Trade Credit
  • Representation and Warranty
  • Risk Analytics and Modeling
  • Tax Credit Risk
     

Why choose us? The Howden Difference

Natural resources risks rarely fit into one category. Our team brings together experts across energy, property, casualty, engineering and claims, helping clients see how exposures connect across the business.

Howden connects clients to placement and market expertise across our global network, while keeping responsibility with the team that knows their business.

Howden’s ownership culture gives our people the freedom to act quickly and focus on what clients need. That means fewer unnecessary handoffs and advice shaped around the realities of each business.

We stay involved across the insurance lifecycle, from program design and placement to risk engineering and claims advocacy. Clients get a more connected experience when issues become complex.

Other Howden capabilities that are important in your industry

  • Business team meeting in modern office with professionals using tablets and laptops, corporate collaboration, project discussion, and workplace communication.

    Risk analysis

    Identifies where risk can affect energy assets, operations, and long-term project performance before issues escalate.

  • Corporate team meeting in modern conference room with professionals collaborating on laptops and tablets, business strategy discussion, and workplace teamwork.

    Risk management

    Builds practical insurance strategies for natural resources businesses as they grow, change, and face new operating pressures.

  • Busy container shipping port at night with stacked cargo containers, cranes, and logistics operations, showcasing global trade, freight transportation, and maritime supply chain infrastructure.

    Global solutions

    Aligns insurance across countries and local markets so programs reflect how and where natural resources clients operate.

  • Business professionals reviewing data on computer monitor during office meeting, workplace collaboration, team strategy discussion, and corporate project analysis.

    Claims advocacy

    Supports complex claims from early response through resolution, including property damage, environmental loss, and business interruption.

  • Health & Benefits Team

    Health & benefits

    Helps organizations support dispersed and specialized workforces with benefits strategies suited to complex operational needs.

  • Massive supercell thunderstorm over open plains with dark storm clouds, severe weather system, tornado formation, and dramatic atmospheric conditions.

    Parametric insurance

    Provides alternative protection for weather and catastrophe risks, with payments based on specific measurable events.

Ready to talk?

Connect with a Howden advisor to review your natural resources insurance program and project risks.

  • Photo of Stuart Adam

    Stuart Adam

    Head of Natural Resources
    Photo of Stuart Adam

    Stuart Adam

    Linked In
    Head of Natural Resources

    Stuart leads the Natural Resources division for Howden US, building a senior-led practice designed to serve clients across the full energy spectrum.

    Before joining Howden, Stuart spent more than three decades at a leading U.S. brokerage firm, where he rose to Executive Vice President and advised on some of the most sophisticated energy risk placements in North America. That experience gives him a deep understanding of the operational realities facing power generation, utility infrastructure and industrial businesses today—along with the discipline to navigate market volatility with clarity and precision.

    In a brokerage market defined by consolidation and scale, Stuart is focused on restoring direct access to senior expertise. He leads an integrated team that brings together property, casualty, and construction specialists under one coordinated strategy. His goal is straightforward—provide clients with the technical depth and global placement capability they expect, without sacrificing senior involvement or speed of decision-making.

    Stuart works closely with leadership teams at Fortune 100 energy companies, independent companies and private equity investors, navigating an increasingly complex risk environment. His experience spans the full energy value chain, from traditional upstream and midstream assets to utility-scale renewables and emerging decarbonization technologies. He is particularly experienced in structuring centralized insurance programs and specialized solutions that align with financing structures, support long-term asset performance, and withstand lender and investor scrutiny.

    Stuart’s areas of expertise include effective exposure mapping, understanding energy industry contractual risks, and implementing and developing loss-sensitive and alternative risk strategies. He has multidisciplinary training, placement and experience across property and casualty insurance for the full spectrum of energy industry operations.

    As part of an employee-owned business, he remains hands-on with clients, personally engaged in strategy, negotiation and execution. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Stuart is committed to helping clients move forward with confidence, providing counsel with integrity, supported by global reach and senior-level accountability at every stage.

  • Photo of Christine Palomba

    Christine Palomba

    Deputy Head of Natural Resources
    Photo of Christine Palomba

    Christine Palomba

    Linked In
    Deputy Head of Natural Resources

    Christine brings 30 years of broking experience with a specialty in complex casualty related coverages for power generation, utility and gas pipeline operations. Christine joined Howden in November 2025 after almost two decades with her prior employer.

    Christine is well known for her creative thinking and innovative ideas with respect to client’s program structure and coverage challenges. Her deep understanding of industry issues and strong market relationships have led to multiple “first of its kind” solutions being implemented. Christine also has particular expertise in Wildfire Liability, having placed specialty coverage for this risk since 2008.

    Christine has advised and collaborated with multiple industry leading renewable energy, municipal, and fortune 500 utility companies providing her with unique industry perspective and strategic insight. This deep background allows Christine to anticipate market shifts, identify emerging risks, navigate complex transactions, and deliver forward-thinking strategies with a focus on long-term stability and sustainability.

    Christine has successfully served and collaborated with many industry leaders and has broad experience working with municipal utilities as well.
    • Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
    • City Utilities of Springfield Missouri
    • Duke Energy
    • NextEra Energy
    • Berkshire Hathaway Energy
    • FirstEnergy
    • Ameren Corporation
    • RWE Renewables

Speak to our Natural Resources team today

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