UK giant Howden buys Omni to boost NZ insurance reach

Omni is the fifth New Zealand insurance business Howden has acquired since 2023. (Image: Getty)

Fri, 17 Oct 2025

London-headquartered insurance broker Howden has acquired New Zealand broker Omni for an undisclosed sum, marking its second local takeover this year.Founded in London in 1994, Howden describes itself as the world's largest non-American insurance broker, advising on more than US$38 billion (NZ$66b) of annual premiums globally.While supported by long-term investors, Howden is primarily owned by its employees, who remain the largest shareholder group.Omni, founded by Clinton Alcock and Matthew Thorburn in 2006, offers commercial and...

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