Hyperion founder wins business award

David Howden, chief executive and founder of the Hyperion Insurance Group, was awarded the Ernst & Young London region Business 2 Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007 this week.

Howden beat off competition from some of London’s most successful entrepreneurs from a broad spectrum of industries to pick up the award.

Judges cited his “true entrepreneurial spirit” and his “grit and determination in a competitive sector” as well as his ability to build the business up from grass roots as key factors in winning the award.

In his acceptance speech, he said: “When I was asked to enter I had some reservations as this is a personal award rather than a corporate one, but I am delighted to accept as I truly believe it reflects the character and success of all the individual entrepreneurs around the world that make up the Hyperion Insurance Group. I would go so far as to say that I could leave our strategic plan on a shelf in Lloyd’s for anyone to find and it would make no difference. No-one else would be able to execute it. They simply don’t have our entrepreneurial spirit.”

Howden started his insurance career as a junior broker at the age of 17 and by the time he was 24, he was running his own company. In his 30th year, he founded the business that has grown to become the Hyperion Insurance Group. The Group has four distinct businesses – retail and wholesale broking, underwriting and reinsurance. Having built the company from scratch 13 years ago, it is now a multi-million pound enterprise with 26 offices in 14 countries. Turnover last year was £34.1 million, up 24% on 2005, and operating profits increased by 37% to £5.9 million. The Group was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in April 2007, recognising its outstanding achievements in developing its international activities. It was the only insurance company to be recognised in the International Trade category.