Howden has appointed Enrico Nanni (pictured) as CEO, Europe, effective January 1, 2027, in a structural change that separates the European and broader EMEA leadership roles for the first time. Nanni, who has served as chief commercial officer for the region since joining from Aon in June 2021, will retain that title alongside his new responsibilities.
Luigi Sturani, who has led the European business since the same date, moves to CEO, EMEA, taking oversight of the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Central Asia in addition to Europe. Nanni will report to Sturani.
The structural change reflects the scale of the European build. Howden says the European business has grown from 11 countries to 30 since 2021, with the team expanding from around 1,000 people to more than 6,000 and gross written premium reaching $8.5 billion (around £6.4 billion) across the region. Howden reported adjusted group revenue of £3.01 billion for the twelve months to September 2024, a 23% increase on the prior year, with 65 acquisitions completed that year including 28 in Europe alone.
A European business of that size requires different management architecture than the one put in place at launch. Giving Nanni a dedicated CEO role for Europe, rather than keeping it wrapped within a broader EMEA brief, gives the region its own leadership focus as Sturani shifts his attention to less developed markets.
The two have worked together since 1997, according to Sturani, moving from Willis to Aon before both joined Howden in 2021, where Sturani served as CEO Specialty EMEA and Nanni as CCO Specialty EMEA before both moved to Howden. Nanni’s knowledge of the European country CEOs, client relationships and internal structure is the product of five years building the region alongside Sturani.
“Throughout our time working together, he has brought the same energy, ambition and commercial focus to every role,” said Sturani. “Enrico’s deep understanding of our countries and the relationships he has built make him the right person to lead Europe through the next chapter of our journey.”
Nanni said he was looking forward to working with country CEOs to continue strengthening the offering to clients and markets.
