In its announcement, Howden explained that the new entity is formed from what is currently EUROASSEKURANZ – the group’s largest brand in Germany. Holz, an Allianz alumnus, has been CEO of EUROASSEKURANZ since 2021 and a board member for the last five years.
Howden Deutschland’s new board will consist of Holz, Himmelseher Sports Insurance chief executive Kai Bockelmann, hendricks CEO Marcel Braun, and Howden Caninenberg managing director Axel Meyer. The goal is for the leadership team to “harness the collective power” of the German businesses behind one Howden brand.
“The creation of Howden Deutschland is a major milestone in the further integration of the firm in Germany,” declared Howden in a release. “This reshaped business, powered for growth, will significantly support Howden’s future ambitions for the region, foster cooperation across different product lines, and strengthen the group’s visibility and profile in the market.
“The hendricks wholesale activity as well as Himmelseher Sports insurance complement the broker activities in Germany and will remain as independent companies and brands.”
Working closely with not only local management but also the group executive committee, Holz is taking over from Howden Europe chief executive Luigi Sturani, who has been serving as interim CEO in Germany.
Commenting on the upcoming changes, Sturani said: “I am thrilled that Karl-Heinz has agreed to lead our strong and established operations in Germany as CEO. He embodies the virtues that make a great leader – deep knowledge of our business both from a client and product point of view, complemented by modern management skills across all operations.
“The new Howden Deutschland board perfectly represents Howden’s culture, combining the strength of a global broker with the personal touch of a group with employee ownership at its heart. We always put our people first, knowing that the clients will follow.
“I am absolutely convinced that, under the leadership of Karl-Heinz, Kai, Marcel, and Axel, Howden Deutschland is perfectly positioned for future success.”
Holz, meanwhile, said he feels very honoured and looks forward to working together with the board and the “great team” in Germany.
“What sets us apart is our employees and the entrepreneurial spirit, which is a fundamental part of our DNA,” asserted the CEO. “The entrepreneurship is what allows our people to focus on the needs of our clients and offer them unique expertise. Our culture is the most valuable thing we own, and I will work hard to continuously strengthen it further.”
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