Howden Re and Moody’s expand talent exchange programme to tackle industry modelling challenges and opportunities

Following a successful first year, Howden Re and Moody’s have launched the second phase of their reciprocal early careers exchange programme, deepening cross-sector collaboration to address data and modelling gaps across reinsurance and vendor platforms.

Amid intensifying climate risk and increasing demand for tailored catastrophe modelling, the programme aims to accelerate data-driven insight into risk development by strengthening both firms’ analytical, modelling, and client service capabilities, while expanding participants’ professional experience across markets.

“This programme focuses on embedding analytical excellence at the centre of collaborative problem solving,” said Myrto Papaspiliou, Head of Catastrophe Model Research at Howden Re International. “We’re building joint expertise that feeds directly into better risk understanding for clients.”

Building on Momentum from 2024

The decision to renew and expand the exchange followed the success of last year’s pilot. “What made the first year so successful,” said Papaspiliou, “was the full integration of secondees in each other’s teams. They were building models and analysing event data, which accelerated mutual understanding of data ecosystems and methodologies and drove trust-building and productivity.”

By working hands-on within partner teams, secondees gained direct exposure to the data, documentation, and client support processes that underpin both organisations. This insight helped enhance vendor datasets and resources, while also strengthening secondees’ problem-solving and client service skills through a deeper understanding of typical market inquiries and operational dynamics.

The programme’s impact was especially evident following major flood events in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and Spain in 2024. Moody’s secondees were instrumental in advancing Howden Re’s event response capabilities and developing climate-conditioned, more detailed views of risk across multiple European models, drawing on complex meteorological and historical loss data.

“To address the expanding protection gap, the reinsurance industry needs continuous innovation and new, forward-thinking solutions. The exchange programme has highlighted the value of collaboration and empowering the next generation of talent to develop cross-sector solutions,” said Massimo Reina, CEO, Howden Re International. “At Howden Re, our culture of entrepreneurialism and collaboration are key to how we deliver better outcomes for clients in an increasingly complex risk environment.”

Expanding the Scope in 2025

This year, the programme is growing both in scale and geographical reach, with secondments taking place across London, Zurich and Prague.

In London, two Moody’s analysts are joining Howden Re’s Catastrophe Model Research team, where they will be involved in some of most data-intensive and strategically significant projects. Their work will contribute directly to Howden Re’s evolving view of global catastrophe risk and offer end-to-end exposure to how catastrophe models inform reinsurance structuring and pricing and how analytics are translated into actionable strategies for risk transfer.

Simultaneously, a new cross-office exchange between Howden Re’s Prague team and Moody’s Zurich team is underway, aimed at deepening understanding of Moody’s analytical capabilities and product offerings, while providing Moody’s participants insight into the reinsurance cycle – from data intake and catastrophe modelling to structuring, pricing, and placement.

“We’re placing people where they can learn most and contribute meaningfully,” Papaspiliou explained. “That means high-impact project environments, particularly around model enhancement and regional risk calibration.”

Meeting Evolving Market Needs

The programme’s expansion comes at a time when clients are demanding greater transparency and agility in catastrophe modelling, and as reinsurers look to refine their views of risk in the face of increasingly volatile event patterns. For Howden Re and Moody’s, the exchange is part of a broader effort to foster innovation and build systemic resilience within the reinsurance ecosystem.

“Ultimately, the programme is about building a shared language of risk,” said Papaspiliou. “When we understand each other’s systems and challenges, we can build better tools, faster responses, and more client-focused solutions.”