Global insurance intermediary group Howden has appointed Kirk Southern group chief people officer.
Southern, who held the role on an interim basis for six months, will report directly to David Shalders, group chief operating officer. He has also become a member of the global leadership team.
He will lead the group’s people team, which is committed to creating a global people function that supports its growth.
Southern previously held roles at Arrow Global Group, as group head of reward and HR director for its fund management business, and has spent more than 15 years working in senior people roles across the investment banking, fund management and asset management sectors.
Southern said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been permanently appointed to the role. With offices in 55 countries, it’s our people who make this a brilliant place to work. Which is why my priorities are clear: to create a people function for growth that puts our employees at the centre of everything we do. To enhance our employee experience through improved systems, processes and data. And to continue to attract and retain the best talent. We’re a people-first business and with 10,000 of us in the UK alone, more than 22,000 worldwide and ambitions to become 40,000, this couldn’t be a more exciting opportunity.”
Shalders added: “Kirk’s promotion to the permanent position of group chief people officer is testament to his achievements, not just in the last six months in the job, but over the three years of working at Howden. As we look to fulfil our growth ambitions, Kirk and his team will be integral to our future success. In addition to Kirk’s appointment we have recently bolstered our people leadership team with other new hires and I look forward to working with the team to continue making Howden a truly great global organisation.”
