Sydney: –
Howden, the international insurance broker, today announced the appointment of Matt Bacon as CEO, Howden Australia, one of the newest entrants to the Australian broker market.
Matt joins alongside Stuart McKellar, appointed Head of Commercial & Affinity, and Nick Chubb, who has been appointed Head of Financial Lines. All three appointments are effective from 22nd June 2021.
Matt joins Howden from Marsh, where he was the CEO of the Mercer Marsh Benefits business for the Pacific region. Prior to this, Matt was the CEO of JLT’s People Risk consulting business for Australia and New Zealand. Matt brings a wealth of experience and expertise, alongside a proven track record of leading and rapidly growing sustainable and robust businesses.
Stuart joins Howden from Marsh, where he was previously Deputy Leader for Corporate, Commercial & Affinity, and Nick also joins from Marsh, where he was previously Deputy Head of its Financial & Professional Services (FINPRO) practice.
Matt, Stuart and Nick join a strong cohort of industry leaders at the firm, driving forward the ambitious growth objectives of Howden Australia, which only launched on 1st March 2021. It is focused on specialist industry and product segments such as Financial Lines, Corporate Risks, Commercial and Affinity, Workers Compensation, Group Risk and Alternative Risk Transfer Solutions.
Commenting on his appointment, Matt Bacon remarked: “I am thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to join such a forward-thinking, dynamic, entrepreneurial and frankly exciting business at a time when they are looking to expand their offering across the region.
David Howden, CEO, Howden Group Holdings, said: “Australia has been a key strategic market for the Group since we launched DUAL in 2004, and now the time is right for us to also enter the Australian market as a broker..”