New Zealand business Wallace McLean has been fully integrated with Howden’s existing broking operations in the country and Nigel Wallace appointed as CEO of the combined team. 

Wallace McLean has come under the Howden brand after its acquisition in July last year by the global group, which had announced plans to expand into New Zealand. 

As CEO for Howden Broking in New Zealand, Mr Wallace will report directly to Howden Pacific CEO Matt Bacon. 

“Bringing organisations together, however large or small is rarely straightforward and always needs to be approached delicately, taking account of the unique attributes each organisation inevitably possesses,” Mr Bacon said. 

“That is exactly what we have done here, and I am very comfortable that with this integration, the team really are set up for even greater success into the future.”  

Mr Wallace has more than 30 years’ in the insurance industry, working for multinational brokers and becoming the founder and principal of Auckland-based Wallace McLean, which started in 2001. 

Howden also says Rene Hattingh will be moving to the role of Head of Technical Delivery, initially concentrating on servicing clients in the scheme and affinity space and reporting directly to Mr Wallace. 

Howden in September acquired Apex Insurance New Zealand and last year Howden Care New Zealand  bought the local personal injury business of Gallagher Bassett. 

“I am hugely excited by what I know we can and will do in New Zealand in the coming months and years,” Mr Bacon said. 

“This new Howden Broking business, aligned with our recent acquisition of Apex, plus the existing Howden Care business and the ex-Gallagher Basset talent, really does show how committed we are to the New Zealand market.”