Howden Re Inspire: meet Nadine Onitiri-Coker
In our Howden Re Inspire series, we are proud to showcase our amazing team.
It’s important to us that the businesses and divisions within Howden Re reflect and contribute to the culture that we at Howden are so proud of. We are a global business with an entrepreneurial mindset, and we put our people first in everything we do. We value independent thinkers, celebrate different perspectives and experiences, and strive to make Howden a great place to work.
Our collaborative approach and collective power make us an industry leader, but it’s our people who make it possible!
Whether they’re forging a unique path in or outside business, leading the way on community impact, giving back, or D&I initiatives, or demonstrating what it takes to make a difference, we are proud to introduce you to our team.
Be Inspired by: Nadine Onitiri-Coker, Managing Director, Market Engagement and Strategy, Howden Re
This month, we’re introducing Nadine Onitiri-Coker, Managing Director of Market Engagement and Strategy at Howden Re. Nadine leads a team that connects the reinsurance business with the broking and underwriting businesses across the Howden group, helping to shape and deliver our market engagement strategy. Her work covers everything from analysing data and market feedback to strengthening our decision-making, identifying partnership opportunities and supporting key relationships with carriers. She also ensures that Howden Re colleagues have access to the insights and context they need to plan, engage, and trade effectively.
Nadine has worked in the re/insurance industry for almost 20 years, and led her team at Howden Re since 2023. What stands out for her about Howden Re is the culture. “The energy here — I’ve never worked anywhere that has this kind of buzz. People are self-starters who want to build things. That culture is special.”
“Lots of people say that they just fell into an insurance career but that isn’t the case for everyone - myself included,” she says. “When I got my degree in Risk Analysis and Insurance, getting a job was really hard as I couldn’t do long hours and that seemed to be a requirement. Nursery closed at 6.30pm and I had to be out of the door at 5:30pm.”
Nadine credits her boss at Haringey Council, where she worked in admin, with pushing her to pursue a more fulfilling long term career. “Her push kick started me to apply for grad roles in insurance, where I might have thought it’s not possible for me to work in the City or do this career, because of my childcare responsibilities.”
“There are so many routes and pathways that can lead people to similar places”, she says.
Nadine believes that representation is important and real progress happens when people from different backgrounds are not only included but supported to grow. As such, she is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the market.
“It’s not about ticking a box. Good people exist in all communities and cultures - give those good people seats at the table and you’ll naturally get a more diverse group,” she says. “Creating space is what’s needed — space where people can speak, be seen, and be sponsored.”
That belief in openness extends to how she approaches leadership. At a Sickle Cell Awareness Event, held at Lloyd’s during Black History Month, Nadine shared her insights into living with sickle-cell disease, and about how being open about her experiences has helped her and others.
“I’m really open about speaking about all of my experiences, like my illness and that I had two miscarriages between my two kids,” she says. “After my miscarriages, I realised that if I had said something, I would have realised that I was not the only one having that experience and I might not have gone into such a deep depression. I speak about my experiences now because you never know who might hear it and think, ‘It’s going to be OK.’”
This year, Nadine was a finalist at the Women in Insurance Awards recognising her contribution to the London Market where she consistently turns up authentically and professionally every day, leads by example and is proud to share her experiences and support with collegues across the industry. Nadine says she has found her voice through experience — and now encourages others to do the same.
“People experience challenging times at various points in their lives – whether they are experienced in their career or not. Now, I can evidence for myself that it didn’t matter that I was suffering with a disease, or that I came from a different background — I can do my job well and navigate difficult personal situations at the same time. ”
Alongside her day-to-day role, Nadine is part of the Howden Re Community Impact Committee, which helps Howden Re colleagues connect around causes that matter to them.
“The goal is to show there’s a lot going on, and that people can get involved in many different ways — by volunteering, donating, or raising awareness for causes that are important to them,” she explains.
Her message to colleagues is simple: doing good work and being authentic go hand in hand.
“If you’re doing the job well and being your authentic self, people will respect you, like to work with you, and together you can deliver results. Yes, you might not be 100% all the time as we are all human, but when you’re there, you’re great.”
In October 2025, Nadine was the first guest on Albion Blake’s new podcast, Connecting Diverse Perspectives, where she spoke about her route into the industry, the moments that shaped her career, and why it’s important to have visible leadership that supports others through both success and challenge.
