After entering Australia earlier this year, international insurance broker Howden has now launched its New Zealand operations with Howden Broking and Howden Care, supporting the firm’s ambitious growth plans for the Pacific region.
The new division will be led by René Hattingh as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Howden Broking New Zealand, who joins from Donaldson Brown where she served as a Partner.
Earlier in her career, Hattingh was Head of FinPro New Zealand at global re/insurance broker Marsh.
She brings a people and client first ethos to Howden, backed up by significant broking expertise. Commenting on her new role, Hattingh said: “I am extremely happy to join such a dynamic organisation that proudly puts its people first. I am delighted with the welcome I have received, and although I have only been on board for a few weeks, I already feel at home.
“The support and collaboration from our Australian and UK colleagues has been phenomenal, as has the reaction from clients, prospects and insurer partners. There is a tangible excitement and energy in the air – which is contagious for us all. I am looking forward to working with our hand- picked team here in New Zealand, to provide greater choice to prospective staff, clients, and underwriters.”
The new regional division is bolstered by the addition of Cliff McCord as CEO of Howden Care New Zealand, the firm’s local workplace claims management, rehabilitation and wellness business.
In this role, McCord will focus on placing the wellness of clients and his team at the heart of his decision making, which will give Howden Care a strong foundation as he builds the operation out.
Earlier in his career, McCord spent more than two decades at Wellnz where he progressed from case management through to ultimately becoming CEO of the entity, a position he held for six years.
On his new role, McCord said: “I am very excited to be joining Howden. I am first and foremost a people person, and from an operational perspective I believe that good people will attract good clients, leading to fruitful long-term relationships.
“My role as CEO of Howden Care is to make sure that our people have the tools and resources to deliver upon the promises we make to clients, and to steer them to a superior outcome. We endeavour to do this by building an organisation of professionalism and integrity, and ensuring that we are a fantastic workplace for all staff. In turn, this will without doubt lead to absolute excellence in client service.”
Matt Bacon, CEO of Howden Pacific, added: “The establishment of the Howden operations in New Zealand is another achievement in a very short time frame for our business in the region. Despite the current climate, Howden has gone from strength to strength in Australia, and we feel certain that our New Zealand team will deliver upon the same trajectory.
“The addition of industry leaders René and Cliff into the Howden family is a huge win for us. We look forward to delivering significant value to our clients through their proven, market-leading expertise.”
