Lloyd’s broker rebrands after being acquired by Australian broking group

Australian broking network Steadfast Group has rebranded HW Wood after acquiring the UK-based Lloyd’s broker.

The move will see the broker, which provides wholesale, retail and reinsurance propositions to a range of clients, be known as HWS Specialty going forward.

As part of the rebrand, the Steadfast Placements team, which provides network brokers in Australasia access to London and other specialty markets, will also adopt the new identity, representing one broking operation.

Samantha Hollman, chief executive of international at Steadfast Group, said: “We are excited to embark on this new chapter as HWS Specialty. The new identity symbolises the fusion of tradition and innovation with a bold vision for the future.

“This marks the beginning of a new value proposition and further cements our dedication to delivering innovative insurance product solutions with a client-centric approach.”

Expansion

Steadfast Group acquired HWS Specialty in November 2024 to expand its presence in the London market.

The broker was founded in 1982 and has been well-established as a Lloyd’s broker since 2003.

Steven Rudduck, managing director at HWS Specialty, said: “We remain committed to upholding the values that have defined us, while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead to expand our service and offer bespoke insurance solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients in an increasingly interconnected world”.