Senior Financial Institutions Practitioner joins Howden

6 February 2009: Howden, a leading independent Lloyd’s broker providing a range of specialist insurances, today announced that senior financial institutions practitioner, Patrick Gilham, will be joining the business in early May as a member of the senior leadership team. Patrick was formerly managing director of the financial institutions practice at HSBC Insurance Brokers.

Tim Coles, Howden’s Chief Executive in the UK, comments: “Patrick is a prominent and respected figure in the financial institutions market with extensive experience and a reputation for being highly driven and tenacious – characteristics that are prized here at Howden. We already have a strong presence in this sector and Patrick’s expertise and relationships both in the UK and overseas will help us to take our capabilities to the next level. He will undoubtedly prove to be an outstanding addition to our team.

“Financial institutions business has long been a core capability of the Howden proposition. Lorraine Adlam joined us last year from Aon, bringing great expertise and experience and delivering substantial value to our clients. The addition of a second market heavyweight to our financial institutions practice adds greater depth to our proposition and will enable us to propel our financial institutions capability to achieve a market leading position.”

In his new role, Patrick will focus on further strengthening and extending market relationships in addition to driving new business opportunities and product development. A large part of his role will be to assist in the growing of Howden’s international client base and, in this capacity, he has been appointed Chairman of Howden International.

Commenting on his decision to join Howden, Patrick says: “Howden has achieved significant growth over recent years due in no small part to the hunger and drive of its people to be the best in the business. These qualities have impressed me as well as the dynamism and energy of the group as a whole. I’m delighted to join the team and relish the challenges that lie ahead.”