Howden signals big European plans with 20-year AXA XL veteran hire

International insurance broker  Howden has tapped a 20-year AXA XL veteran as chief operations officer (COO) for Europe.

Philippe Lutgen (pictured) will take up the newly created position of COO Europe to lead on operations across the continent (excluding the UK), supporting on the development and execution of Howden’s ambitious growth strategy, while driving integration as it establishes and consolidates its European platform.

Lutgen will report to Luigi Sturani, CEO, Howden Europe and will be based in London.

Lutgen has over 30 years’ experience working across the global insurance and reinsurance industry. He joins from AXA XL where he spent the previous 20 years, most recently as chief operations officer for Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Lutgen joins at a considerable time of growth for Howden Europe, following its recent acquisitions of Theoreme and C.R.F Conseils in France and, earlier this year, Assiteca in Italy, as the broker continues to expand its platform across the continent.

“I am excited to join Howden’s rapidly expanding platform across Europe and enable its People First and entrepreneurial culture. My experience of building strong operational capabilities combined with Howden’s ability to attract and retain the best talent will be critical to our success in delivering unrivalled and localised expertise and service to our clients,” said Lutgen.

Sturani, Howden Europe CEO, said: “Our strategy in Europe is focused on local specialism and expertise. With a track-record in leading large and multi-national operations, Philippe will enable Howden to realise and embed its strategy for a strong continental platform, while ensuring each of our European markets maintain their deep local specialisms and entrepreneurial cultures.”

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