Howden Re deepens Iberian growth strategy with new Portugal office, led by Filipe Duarte

Howden Re, the global reinsurance, capital markets and strategic advisory arm of Howden Group, today announced the appointment of Filipe Duarte as Head of Howden Re Portugal. Filipe joined on 2 August 2026 and is based in Lisbon.

Filipe brings more than 16 years of experience in the insurance industry, including over 12 years in reinsurance. He joins from Aon Reinsurance, where he most recently served as Head of Treaties, leading the advisory and placement of reinsurance solutions for insurers across Portugal. His experience spans treaty and facultative reinsurance, as well as the delivery of complex and innovative projects tailored to clients’ strategic objectives. He began his career at Willis in Lisbon in 2010 and subsequently held a number of client-facing and advisory roles, building extensive expertise across the insurance and reinsurance value chain. Filipe holds a degree in Management, complemented by executive education at Harvard University, and recently completed his MBA at AESE/IESE Business School.

The appointment establishes Howden Re’s first physical presence in Portugal and marks the initial step in a broader investment strategy for the market. Howden Re plans to continue building out its local team by attracting experienced professionals to strengthen its capabilities in the country.

The Portuguese market has faced an active start to 2026, including an unprecedented sequence of storms led by Storm Kristin in the first quarter, underlining the need for a deeper understanding of secondary perils and more sophisticated catastrophe modelling. The continued development of the Portuguese Natural Catastrophe Pool presents a further opportunity for insurers to draw on international expertise; Howden is currently advising the Spanish Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros on the optimisation of its own catastrophe pool, and intends to bring that experience to Portugal.

David Santos, Managing Director and Head of Iberia at Howden Re, said: “Filipe’s appointment is an important milestone for Howden Re in Portugal. Since launching in Iberia, we have built strong momentum across Spain and Andorra, and establishing a dedicated presence in Portugal is the natural next step. Filipe brings deep technical expertise and a strong network built over more than a decade in the market, and he is exactly the right person to lead our growth there. We are confident this is the first of many steps in strengthening our offering to Portuguese insurers.”

Filipe Duarte, Head of Howden Re Portugal, said: “The market is evolving rapidly, creating challenges that demand deep technical expertise and innovative solutions. These developments present a compelling opportunity for Howden Re to support insurers with advanced analytical capabilities, global expertise, and a highly entrepreneurial approach. We believe the market is seeking a broker that offers the best of both worlds: the reach, tools, and resources of a global organisation combined with the flexibility, speed, and client proximity of a local partner. That is exactly the proposition we are bringing to Portugal.”

Tobias Andersson, Head of Continental Europe, Howden Re, said: “Portugal and Iberia are important markets for Howden Re and an important part of our ambitions across Continental Europe. Our approach is simple: bring together outstanding local talent with the expertise, analytics and reach of our wider business. Filipe’s appointment gives us a strong foundation in Portugal, and we’re excited to continue building the team and deepen the support we can offer clients across Portugal and Iberia.”