Howden Re accelerates European growth with Iberia launch and senior appointments

London, 1 September 2025 – Howden Re, the global reinsurance, capital markets, and strategic advisory arm of Howden Group, has announced two senior appointments to launch operations in Iberia, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s strategic expansion.

David Santos will join as Managing Director of Howden Re Iberia, and Antonio Pombo will join as Director. Both will be based in Madrid. Santos and Pombo will focus on establishing Howden Re’s reinsurance proposition and contributing to Howden Group’s broader presence in the Iberian insurance market.

Both executives join from Nacional Re, where David Santos served as Commercial Director and Antonio Pombo as Senior Client Manager for Iberia, overseeing client relationships across the region. They bring extensive experience and expertise from across the Spanish, Portuguese, and Andorran reinsurance markets. 

Howden has a long history in the Iberian market and a very strong position within insurance broking and its MGA business. Integrating Howden Re alongside the wider Group will enhance and broaden the offering.

Tobias Andersson, Head of Continental Europe, Howden Re, said: “We are thrilled to launch Howden Re in Iberia, a key milestone in our ongoing expansion across Europe and investment in our growing International team. David and Antonio bring exceptional client insight and deep market expertise, which will be critical as we build our capabilities in the region. Their appointments reflect our commitment to investing in local leadership while delivering global reinsurance solutions tailored to regional client needs. In Iberia we benefit from the strong existing business of Howden Group, and this provides a great opportunity for close collaboration to bring value to clients.”

David Santos, Managing Director of Howden Re Iberia, said: “Joining Howden Re at this pivotal moment is an exciting opportunity. Iberia is a dynamic and increasingly sophisticated market, and clients are looking for partners who combine global reach with deep local understanding. With Howden Re’s entrepreneurial culture and commitment to long-term investment in the region, we are well placed to deliver innovative, client-first reinsurance solutions. I am proud to lead this next chapter.”

These appointments in Iberia align with Howden Re’s broader strategy to scale its global platform. The firm has recently enhanced its presence in other high-growth markets including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and India, demonstrating a sustained commitment to strengthening regional leadership to support local client growth.