Insurance intermediary group Howden has announced the appointment of Robert Kennedy as CEO of Howden UK & Ireland, effective October 1. Kennedy will succeed Carl Shuker, who will transition into the role of Deputy Chairman within the same division.
Currently serving as CEO of Howden Ireland, Kennedy joined the business in 2020 following Howden’s acquisition of Aston Lark. His extensive industry background includes senior leadership roles at Aviva, RSA, Aon, and Aston Lark. In his new role, Kennedy will report directly to David Howden, CEO of Howden Group.
Carl Shuker has led the UK & Ireland division since 2021, following Howden’s acquisition of A-Plan, where he served as CEO for over a decade. With a career spanning 45 years in the insurance industry, Shuker is widely respected for his leadership and client-focused approach. As Deputy Chairman, he will continue to support the business and work closely with Kennedy during the transition.
David Howden praised Kennedy’s leadership in Ireland, where he has spent the last five years building what he described as a “leading, full-spectrum broker in the Irish market.”
Reflecting on Shuker’s contributions, Howden added: “When I first met Carl, his deep commitment to empowering great people to delight their clients and support their communities was clear from the outset. Since joining Howden, he has unified our UK & Ireland operations into a powerhouse. His people-first approach and strategic vision will continue to shape our future growth.”
Howden operates in 55 countries and employs around 22,000 people globally. The group manages $45 billion in client premiums worldwide.
