Howden Broking launches new Icelandic operations in Europe push

Howden Broking has opened a new branch office in Reykjavik, Iceland, said to be the first established by an international broker in the country.

The move is in line with Howden's drive to further expand its business and presence in Europe.

The company has worked with clients in Iceland for several years via its operations in Finland. The Reykjavik branch will enable it to deliver a local service within the country.

The broker has hired an experienced team to drive growth in Iceland. Benedikt I. Elisson joins Howden as director for risk management after 42 years with Eimskip, where he was the senior risk manager for 28 years and responsible for company marketing and operations in Iceland, Sweden and Newfoundland.

Bjarni Ólafsson joins as general manager, who has over 25 years of experience in the Icelandic and international markets including London, having worked in a number of roles in accounts, risk management and underwriting.

Pasi Heikkinen, director of Howden Finland, said: “We are extremely proud to open a Howden branch office in Iceland. Howden has had a strong presence in Iceland since the late 1990s and we have developed very good, long-term relationships with our Icelandic clients and local insurance companies.

"Our intention is to look after these relationships and make them even stronger; we also aim to build more new relationships and look forward to working closer with the Icelandic market, and supporting international clients."