Howden Group announces the appointment of Amit Agarwal as the CEO of Howden India

Hyderabad: Howden, the global insurance group,announced the appointment of Amit Agarwal as CEO, Howden India, effective August 1. Agarwal takes over the reins from Praveen Vashishta, the former CEO, who will now step up to the position of Chairman. Agarwal’s appointment underlines Howden India’s ambitious growth plans and aspiration to be a leading broker in one of the world’s fastest growing insurance markets by 2026.

Under Agarwal’s leadership, Howden India will continue its drive for innovation and the expansion of its product offering, and will continue to embed local expertise in India for the benefit of its clients. It will execute on this strategy by attracting top industry talent through an empowered and employee-owned culture that allows its people to build a business for the long-term.

David Howden, Founder and CEO, Howden, said: “Ever since we commenced operations in India in 2004, Praveen’s leadership has been constant and loyal. He has grown the business, recruited a talented team and helped to build a leading insurance broker in the country. I thank him for his unwavering support, and know that he will lend his invaluable expertise and guidance to support Howden's ongoing success and expansion initiatives as Chairman.”

Sonia Caamaño, CEO, International Growth Markets, comments: “Amit's appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to investing in top talent and local expertise to better serve our clients. His vast knowledge of the Indian insurance market and strategic vision aligns perfectly with Howden's global objectives and we know that we are primed for the next stage in Howden India’s growth story.”

Amit Agarwal, CEO, Howden India says: “As I take the reins from Praveen, I would like to thank him for establishing Howden’s strong foothold in the Indian insurance market. India presents a dynamic and ever-evolving insurance landscape, and our focus will be on driving growth, enhancing customer experience, and contributing positively to the development of insurance industry in India. Our employee owned business model is a critical differentiator in attracting the best talent from the market. It aligns the goals of our colleagues with that of the firm and drives them to deliver exceptional services to our clients.”

In 2022, Howden announced it had obtained Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approval to increase to 100% its stake in Howden India, reflecting the company’s commitment to build a leading broking business in the country that fosters long-term partnerships with clients and focuses on investing in people and data and technology.