Howden announces new chief operating officer

Howden has appointed David Shalders as its new group chief operating officer.

Shalders will be based in London and sit on the broker’s global leadership team and group board as part of the move.

This is the first time a chief operating officer will sit on the board – Howden said the move was a ”reflection of our scale and the ambition we have”.

It also said that Shalders will help the business continue to deliver its growth plans.

“Howden’s unique capital model, coupled with a global distribution platform built over decades and filled with talent and expertise, have positioned it as a business that does things differently for clients,” Shalders added.

“From our first meetings, I felt the energy to do more and to do it with a difference. I am excited to be a part of that future.”

Experience

Shalders brings over 30 years’ worth of experience in integration, technology and operations in the financial services sector to the role.

He joins Howden from the London Stock Exchange Group, where he most recently held the role of chief operating officer and head of integration.

He also previously worked as group operations and technology director at Willis Towers Watson.

In his new role, he will report to Howden chief executive David Howden.

“David is a growth chief operating officer,” Howden said.

”He has spent his career delivering strategies across multinational operations, data and analytics to support commercial growth. 

”He will provide important leadership as we grow scalable, consistent, world-class operations whilst preserving the empowerment which makes us dynamic and innovative. 

”This balance is critical and, in that regard, David will support me as we continue to harness our strengths as one Howden.”