Howden has appointed Amit Agarwal as the CEO of Howden India, as part of its efforts to become a prominent broker in one of the fastest-growing insurance markets globally.
“[Agarwal’s] vast knowledge of the Indian insurance market and strategic vision aligns perfectly with Howden’s global objectives and we know that we are prime for the next stage in Howden India’s growth story.”
As Agarwal takes over the leadership, Praveen Vashista, the former CEO, has assumed the role of Chairman. The changes took effect on August 1st.
Agarwal has held important leadership positions in the industry. He oversaw the Liability & Specialty Risks practice at Howden India before joining the company in 2019 as Managing Director. The executive worked in Mumbai for JLT’s Financial Lines and Credit & Political Risk division for four years prior to this, holding the position of Director. Previously, he worked at Marsh and UIB.
Amit Agarwal's journey to CEO of Howden India
Assistant Vice President
Marsh
Vice President
United Insurance Brokers Limited
Vice President - Liability Fac. Reinsurance
Marsh
Director - Financial Lines and Credit & Political Risk
JLT Independent
Managing Director
Howden
Chief Executive Officer
Howden
Source: LinkedIn
Sonia Caamaño, CEO of International Growth Markets at Howden commented, “Amit’s appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to investing in top talent and local expertise to better serve our clients. His vast knowledge of the Indian insurance market and strategic vision aligns perfectly with Howden’s global objectives and we know that we are primed for the next stage in Howden India’s growth story.”
Under Agarwal’s direction, Howden India aims to promote innovation, expand its product portfolio, and integrate local knowledge to benefit its clients. The company said it plans to attract top industry talent by fostering an empowered and employee-owned culture.
“As I take the reins from Praveen, I would like to thank him for establishing Howden’s strong foothold in the Indian insurance market,” said Agarwal.
“India presents a dynamic and ever-evolving insurance landscape, and our focus will be on driving growth, enhancing customer experience, and contributing positively to the development of insurance industry in India,” he explained.
In 2022, Howden received permission from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to increase its interest in Howden India to 100%. The company aims to create a top-tier brokerage in India investing in data, technology, and talent.
“Our employee owned business model is a critical differentiator in attracting the best talent from the market. It aligns the goals of our colleagues with that of the firm and drives them to deliver exceptional services to our clients,” added Agarwal.
As for Vashita, Howden CEO David Howden was full of praise, “Ever since we commenced operations in India in 2004, Praveen’s leadership has been constant and loyal. He has grown the business, recruited a talented team and helped to build a leading insurance broker in the country. I thank him for his unwavering support, and know that he will lend his invaluable expertise and guidance to support Howden’s ongoing success and expansion initiatives as Chairman.”
