Howden strengthens partnership with Emirates GBR SailGP Team as Tier 2 Global Partner
London, 25 February 2026 – Howden today announces the elevation of its partnership with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team (“Emirates GBR”) to Tier 2 Global Partner, marking an enhanced commitment for the remaining two years of the partnership.
This upgraded partnership underscores the strong strategic alignment between Howden and Emirates GBR, bringing together two organisations driven by ambition, innovation and performance. Howden joined Emirates GBR at the start of the Rolex SailGP Championship 2025 Season, during which the team made history by completing an unprecedented treble: winning the Season Championship, SailGP’s Impact League, and finishing top of the overall points leaderboard.
That momentum has carried into 2026. The 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship marks the league’s most ambitious calendar to date, featuring 13 events across five continents over 12 months.
As a Tier 2 Global Partner, Howden will see increased brand visibility across the SailGP calendar, showcasing its expertise across Marine, Sport & Entertainment and Specialty to a global audience. The partnership reflects Howden’s role as a trusted partner delivering meaningful outcomes for clients and communities alike.
Beyond elite performance, the partnership is united by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, diversity and social impact. As back-to-back winners of SailGP’s Impact League, Emirates GBR continues to deliver positive change on and off the water, inspiring the next generation through collaboration and innovation.
A key example of this shared purpose is Howden’s support of the STEM Crew Live event, delivered through Emirates GBR’s Purpose Partner, the 1851 Trust, at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth in July 2025. The programme engaged 120 local students, using the science of high-performance sport to spark interest in STEM subjects and broaden future career pathways.
Richard Haines, Divisional CEO, Howden Specialty, said: “We are extremely proud to have become a Tier 2 Global Partner with Emirates GBR. We’re two brands with much in common – we’re passionate about what we do, we believe in the power of teamwork and together we’re ambitious to make a global impact. Whether that means competing on the world stage or inspiring young people to push the boundaries through our work with the 1851 Trust in Portsmouth. Already the season’s shaping up to be a thriller, with a fine win for Emirates GBR in Perth and we are backing the team to go all the way in 2026.”
Sir Ben Ainslie, CEO of Emirates GBR, echoed this sentiment: “We are delighted to elevate our partnership with Howden following a hugely successful first year together, both on and off the water. From the very beginning, it was clear that our values aligned as we collaborated to deliver a wide range of purpose-driven events spanning business, education, and sport. On the water, Howden’s expertise in insuring our F50 race boat provides the confidence and security that allows the team to focus entirely on performance and winning at the highest level of SailGP.”