Howden selects executive director, head of equine division

International insurance broker Howden has appointed Mike Godfrey as executive director and head of its equine division.

Godfrey will focus on growing the brokerage’s bloodstock client base, with a particular focus on the United Kingdom, United States and Australasia. He will report to Howden sports & entertainment global practice leader Duncan Fraser. Howden’s equine division is a part of its sports & entertainment practice.

It was noted that Godfrey’s appointment comes after Howden named David Long as the chair of the equine division.

“Following the recent appointment of David Long to chair our equine practice, Mike’s appointment reflects our continued strategy to attract and recruit the best talent in this specialty market to enhance the scale, depth and expertise of our equestrian insurance offering,” commented Duncan Fraser. “With our established ties to the equestrian world, our Equine team offers decades of experience in designing products for businesses and horse owners around the world.”

Fraser added that Howden will “continue to hire experienced individuals with specialist expertise to provide more choice and a fresh alternative for equine clients,” and that it aims to become the leader for clients in need of equestrian insurance solutions.

In a release, Howden explained that it is an established broker to the horse racing industry, having helped arrange solutions for equestrian associations, racecourses, racehorse trainers, stud farms, riding schools and horse owners. Howden is also an official partner of Ascot racecourse. Chief executive David Howden is also the founder of the Cornbury House Horse Trials and has invested in British Eventing by helping introduce the Howden Way – a five-year investment plan which includes the development of a new training programme for riders and the creation of a young horse pathway.