Bahrain: Howden sets up operations in the kingdom
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | May 2023
UK-headquartered insurance broker Howden has received a regulatory licence from the Central Bank of Bahrain to establish operations in the kingdom. This represents a significant step in Howden’s strategic growth ambitions for the Gulf region.
The establishment of Howden Bahrain adds another key territory to Howden’s footprint in the Gulf, with existing operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman employing over 200 people in the region. It will provide a full range of insurance broking and risk advisory services across multiple risk sectors including aviation, construction, energy, financial institutions, marine, P&C, employee benefits and specialty lines.
Howden Bahrain executive director and CEO Adam Knights said, “Howden Bahrain will provide Bahraini clients with personalised insurance solutions bolstered by Howden’s specialist expertise, data and analytics and technological capabilities. Our engagements with multiple renowned Bahraini enterprises have encouraged us that there is ample opportunity for an alternative insurance broker to provide services in the kingdom, and our strategy will be to grow a sizeable market share by adding value to Bahraini clients using our international capabilities and by attracting and developing local talent.”
Howden CEO David Howden said, “Howden has operated in the Gulf for over a decade, and we were attracted to the kingdom of Bahrain due to its reputation for being business-friendly, combined with its comprehensive regulatory environment and the availability of experienced and talented local individuals. Our goal is to provide choice for clients in Bahrain and the wider Gulf region.” M