Colosso becomes Howden chief executive in reshuffle

Adrian Colosso has been named chief executive of Hyperion-owned broking group Howden as part of a management reshuffle.

Current Howden chief executive Tim Coles will become the broker’s international chief executive, reporting to Colosso. This is a newly created role.

Colosso, best known for his time as chief executive of Heath Lambert before it was sold to Gallagher in 2011, joined Howden as chairman in May last year.

Hyperion chief executive David Howden said: “Howden Broking Group’s 2013 revenue of over £125m mean that it is three times the size it was three years ago; it controls over £1bn in premium, and has more than 1,200 people serving clients from 54 offices in 27 countries around the world.

“Adrian has unique experience of building and leading global broking operations and a breadth and depth of client and market relationships that make him extremely well placed to lead the group in its next phase.”

He added: “Under Tim’s leadership the broking group has more than doubled the number of offices and countries in which it operates and two-thirds of employees are outside the UK.

“Given both the existing breadth of our international operations and our ambitions for future expansion, Tim will ensure that the strategy to expand where our clients need us and where there is emerging demand has dedicated leadership.”

Further changes

In other changes, John Bennett, currently chief executive of Howden division Howden Insurance Brokers, will assume the new role of director of UK growth and development.

Howden said: “John, having successfully brought the Windsor and Howden Lloyd’s broking operations together, will focus on continuing to develop the capabilities in London and the UK by attracting the best insurance talent.

Howden broking group chief operating officer Simon Behagg will become director of transformation ay Hyperion.

In addition, Howden has hired former Prime Professions finance director Felicia Meyerowitz as chief operating officer.

Hyperion-owned underwriting agency Dual International‘s finance director Rinku Patel will head Howden Broking Group’s finance team.

Finally, Howden Broking Group’s corporate development director, who co-ordinated mergers and acquisitions activity, will move to Hyperion to do the same role on a group-wide basis.

Howden said: “In total, these appointments give us the management bench strength to deliver the ambitious 2020 growth and development goals we have set for the broking group by enabling us to attract the very best talent and to deliver their expertise and service to clients around the world.”