Henderson launches new employee benefits division

Henderson Insurance has created Henderson Employee Benefits, a new division based at the former headquarters of Denney O’Hara , acquired by Henderson in March 2010.

The new HEB division combines the Denney O’Hara business with Henderson’s previous healthcare and employee benefits arm.

Five healthcare staff have moved across from Henderson's Leeds corporate office and four more have since been recruited.

The most recent additions to the newly-created division are: account executive Martin Lloyd, formerly of PHP; associate consultant Stephen Carr; healthcare administrator Louise Pratt, account executive Nick Pratt.

“This brings the total number employed in this division to 26, up from the 18 employed at Denney O’Hara at the time of the acquisition,” said Henderson director Ian Dearnley.

“The market conditions have seen other firms contracting while Henderson expands, so we have been able to cherry pick the best talent. I think it’s a positive message that we are taking people from the big boys.”

Dearnley joined Henderson just over a year ago from Aon, where he was principal at the Leeds office.

Three more Henderson recruits – associate director of risk benefits Dave Farebrother, pensions consultant Kathryn Bastow and Stephen Carr, an associate consultant, have also since joined from Aon.

Mike Picken, HEB head of healthcare, said: “The key to the success of the healthcare team over the eight years we’ve been established is that about 95 per cent of our clients have come from the existing Henderson client bank, which shows that, as well as our professional client delivery, our colleagues on the general side must be doing something right, since clients are prepared to entrust new services to us.”

Brian Denney, Henderson Employee Benefits chairman, added: “I am delighted with the commitment Henderson have already shown to becoming a major force in the financial advice arena."