Hyperion merges Howden and RKH to bring together retail and specialist broking expertise

Hyperion Insurance Group is merging its retail and specialist broking businesses, Howden and RKH, to be led by José Manuel González as chief executive officer.

Hyperion said that combining the two broking operations under a single management will deliver “seamless access” for clients by bringing together Howden’s international retail network and RKH’s specialty and reinsurance expertise.

The merger will take effect from October 1. Over a period of 12 months, RKH will transition to the Howden Specialty and Reinsurance brands.

González, chief executive at Howden Broking Group, who will move to London to lead the combined broking group, said: "Combining our two businesses will create a global, cohesive and efficient platform."

In the UK, Andy Bragoli, in addition to his role as chief executive at RKH, will lead a newly formed UK broking executive committee, which will sit above both RKH and Howden UK. Chris Evans, in addition to his role as CEO Howden UK, will serve as Bragoli's deputy.

Barnaby Rugge-Price, CEO of Hyperion X, will chair the committee, supported by Paul Redgate as deputy. Elliot Richardson will continue to lead reinsurance.

Additionally, Paul Redgate will also work with Mark Wood, following the completion of his contractual
obligations to Marsh/JLT, to lead the broking group’s global practices.

David Howden, Hyperion’s chief executive, said the combined broking group will offer “a unique proposition” to its US broker partners. He said the company was well placed, with an international retail network and the necessary expertise, to service its US broker partners’ clients, while not competing with them in their own territory.

Bragoli added: “This is simply the next step for us. Our commitment to all our clients, first and foremost, is to provide them with both specialist expertise and global servicing capabilities through our own Howden network. Our commitment not to be a US retail broker remains unchanged and, in this, we are truly unique.”