Rowan Douglas has moved from his previous position of head of climate at WTW to assume a similar role at rival broker Howden.
Howden has announced it has appointed Rowan Douglas to be its CEO, climate risk and resilience.
He previously held a similar position at rival WTW, where he was head of that broker’s climate and resilience hub, which he grew to over 130 climate risk professionals.
The London market broker described Douglas’s role as “to continue to build an expert, full spectrum function to support the group worldwide, embedding climate and resilience across its specialities and regions”.
Howden also announced that Charlie Langdale would step up as its chair for climate risk and resilience.
At WTW, Douglas drove the creation of the Insurance Development Forum (IDF), incubated the award-winning Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment, and continues to chair the IDF’s operating committee.
He also served on the UK Prime Minister’s council for science and technology and was awarded a CBE in 2016 for services to the economy through risk, insurance and sustainable growth.
In his new role, Douglas will be based in London and will report to David Howden, CEO of Howden.
David Howden commented: “Tackling climate change requires the most substantial reallocation of capital in history, and insurance has a huge role to play across the mitigation, adaptation and resilience agenda.
“Meeting the challenge will take a global effort and radical collaboration across all industries, and between both the private and public sectors,” he said.
“To have someone of Rowan’s calibre join us demonstrates not only the credentials of our Climate Risk and Resilience team but highlights our desire to use insurance as a force for good.
“Our goal is to embed climate and resilience expertise across the insurance value chain, for the benefit both of existing clients and those who do not have access to insurance,” Howden added.
Douglas said: “I am thrilled to be joining Howden at this remarkable time in its growth and with climate central to its future development. My decision was driven by the company’s recognition, from the very top, that insurance capabilities are essential to de-risk the climate transition and protect lives, assets and livelihoods.
“I look forward to working with David, Charlie and the wider team and have already been empowered and enthused by the can-do, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture here at Howden. Our focus will be on embedding the work of the Climate Risk and Resilience division across all of Howden’s product lines and geographies, ensuring it supports our clients and partners.”
Douglas’s new position at Howden is effective immediately.
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