Independent insurance broker Howden Broking Group has announced the appointment of Barnaby Rugge-Price as its new chair.

This appointment comes ahead of Howden’s Merger with RKH, which takes effect in October 2020.

This consolidated platform and unified management team, led by Howden CEO José Manuel González and supported by Barnaby Rugge-Price as chair.

Rugge-Price returns to the firm after serving most recently serving as CEO at Hyperion X, the Group’s data and analytics arm. He will also retain his role as executive chair of Hyperion X.

Alongside this, Hyperion X has appointed Paul Johnston as its new CEO.

Rugge-Price said: “This represents the ultimate affirmation of the rationale to bring together the RKH and Howden businesses into one group and now formally merge them into one company aligned behind one strong leadership team. I am excited to move back into the heart of the broking business with my Hyperion X experience, as we continue to re-evaluate ourselves to better service our clients. Howden’s entrepreneurial culture, which empowers employees to develop innovative and creative client solutions, along with our People First approach continues to attract the top talent in the market and will power our growth,”

“My role in supporting José Manuel underlines our joint commitment to building out a world-class platform and to embedding data and analytics into the business to deliver client solutions even more effectively.”

González commented: “I am delighted to welcome Barnaby as Chair of Howden Broking Group. His experience and track record in building RKH and latterly Hyperion X is testament to his expertise, entrepreneurial mind set and leadership capability.  These skills will strengthen our ability to take Howden Broking Group forward as we embark on the next phase of our ambitious growth plans. As always, change is the only constant in Howden and the wider world, but we’re confidently in the right company, in the right industry, and at the right time. Together, Barnaby and I will make a formidable team!”