This week’s insurance industry developments include a leadership change at the UK’s flood reinsurance scheme, a new managing director for HDI Global in France, and the consolidation of Howden’s operations in Guernsey. The announcements highlight ongoing changes in leadership, business continuity and service integration across the insurance and financial services sectors.
Flood Re Appoints Simon Green as Chair
Flood Re has appointed Simon Green as its new chair, subject to regulatory approval. He will succeed Bridget Rosewell, who announced in July that she would step down from the position.
Green currently serves as Flood Re’s senior independent director and brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services, regulation and corporate governance. His previous roles include senior positions at the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England. He has also served as a non-executive director at Gallagher.
Flood Re helps keep flood insurance affordable for hundreds of thousands of homes at risk of flooding. The scheme is scheduled to end in 2039 and does not cover homes built after January 1, 2009.
As the scheme approaches its planned end date, Green will oversee its transition towards a greater emphasis on property resilience. This shift is particularly relevant to brokers arranging home insurance in flood-prone areas, especially as insurers such as Aviva advocate incorporating resilience measures into newly built homes.
HDI Global Names Delphine Leroy Managing Director for France
HDI Global has appointed Delphine Leroy as managing director for France, with her appointment taking effect on January 1, 2027. She will succeed Jean-Marie Haquette, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in the insurance and reinsurance industry. Haquette has led HDI Global France since September 2022.
Leroy brings nearly three decades of industry experience. Most recently, she served as general manager for France at QBE. Before joining QBE, she was managing director for France and head of South Europe at CNA Hardy.
France remains an important market within HDI Global’s multinational network. For London-based brokers arranging multinational insurance programmes that include French operations, Leroy’s appointment brings leadership experience and established local broker relationships. The transition period leading up to January 2027 is intended to support continuity in the French business.
Howden Consolidates Its Guernsey Operations Under One Roof
Howden has opened a shared office at Harbour House in St Peter Port, Guernsey, bringing together SPF Private Clients and Howden Channel Islands Insurance Brokers.
SPF Private Clients, a mortgage brokerage that joined Howden in 2022, has relocated from Berthelot Street after operating there for almost 30 years. The business reports that it has handled more than £2 billion in mortgage transactions during that period.
Howden’s Channel Islands operations also include Guernsey-based captive specialist Howden Captive Services. Collectively, these businesses provide services spanning mortgage advice, life and inheritance tax planning, personal and commercial insurance, financial services risks and captive insurance solutions.
The move reflects a broader trend among large brokerage groups towards integrating insurance, mortgage and wealth-related advisory services. Bringing these operations together in a shared location could support collaboration and cross-selling among individuals, fiduciaries and professional firms.
For independent brokers operating in the Channel Islands, Howden’s consolidated presence represents competition from a larger group with a broader range of services and resources.
