Howden’s chief legal affairs officer Bloomer dies unexpectedly

Howden’s chief corporate and legal affairs officer Will Bloomer has passed away unexpectedly.

Bloomer died suddenly last week, according to a statement from the broker’s group CEO, David Howden.

“Those that know him will be aware that he was, first and foremost, a family man, and his wife Nikki and his children have all our love and support.  We know that many in the market will offer the same,” Howden said.

Bloomer assumed the role of Howden’s chief corporate and legal affairs officer in 2021. He initially joined Howden as corporate and legal director in March 2012 and later advanced to group general counsel in 2013.

When Bloomer joined Howden the business had a little over £100 million in revenue, and this week would have marked his 12th anniversary of joining Howden.

Howden reflected on Bloomer’s significant contributions during his tenure, noting his involvement in major M&A and equity transactions. He said: “In those 12 years he has had a very significant hand in everything from our largest and most transformative M&A and equity transactions to his tireless drive to develop our employee ownership structure from 200 employee shareholders to more than 5,000 today. He was a brilliant lawyer with a commercial mind, and a friend to many, many people.”

Before joining Howden, Bloomer spent 12 years at Heath Lambert, later Gallagher Heath, following his career start as a solicitor with Cameron McKenna.

Howden emphasised Bloomer’s impact extended beyond the company. “His impact was far wider than Howden and the messages and conversations over the weekend show just how many people loved him,” he said.

“We will miss his whip-smart counsel, extraordinary encyclopaedic general knowledge, indomitable and acerbic sense of humour, and his huge heart,” Howden said.

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