The strength of a team: Ben Cofer on service, leadership and finding his place at Howden Re

This Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, our Howden Re Inspire series recognises the experiences of those who have served and the perspectives they bring to our business.

We spoke with Ben Cofer, Operations Director for the Howden Re Programs team in Dallas.

For Ben Cofer, one of the most valuable lessons from his military service was understanding how much people can achieve when they work together.

After joining the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in college, Ben spent four years on active duty as a US Army officer, serving in both combat arms and support roles. Experiencing both sides gave him a perspective on leadership and the importance of supporting others that continues to shape his approach today.

"On the frontline, you're the one needing support and resources," Ben explains. Moving into a support role showed him just how much difference the right support could make, and the impact it could have on the wider team.

That understanding has followed him throughout his career, from leaving the Army in 2016 to working across several industries before finding his way into reinsurance.

Today, as Operations Director for our Programs team in Dallas, Texas, Ben draws on those experiences to connect colleagues with the resources they need, solve problems and help teams deliver for clients.

A culture that stands apart 

Having worked in the military and across several businesses, Ben has experienced different approaches to teamwork. But when he joined Howden Re three years ago, something immediately stood out.

"Howden Re has been the place where the team mindset is just default."

During his first few months, Ben made a point of reaching out to colleagues across the business to understand their roles, build relationships and learn from their experience.

What surprised him wasn't just the level of expertise, it was how freely people shared it.

"I truly have never worked in a place that had so many competent professionals at what they do who were also unbelievably willing to set aside everything that they had going on to help teach me something."

When speaking to colleagues from across the global business, Ben found people who were happy to offer their time, answer questions and help someone they'd never met.

He said it’s something he’s regularly told his friends and family.

After meeting people across the business, Ben realised that the willingness to help wasn't an exception, it’s something he’s found he can count on every day.

"This isn't random, this is a genuine culture."

For Ben, it's more than a positive working environment. It's knowing he can turn to colleagues for support, learn from people with different expertise and contribute his own experience in return.

"That's the thing that makes your day-to-day awesome."

Lessons that last

One of the biggest lessons Ben carried from the Army into his career is the importance of accountability.

In the military, clear expectations, strong communication and following through on commitments were essential to the success of the team.

Ben believes those same principles can make a real difference in the private sector.

While accountability sometimes means having uncomfortable conversations, he's seen how shared standards can improve the way people work together.

"Over time, people will generally look around and say, ‘Yes, we're working a lot better now.’ When we're all held to the same standard, everyone knows what's expected of them, what they need to deliver and how their work contributes to the team's success."

Communication is equally important.

In the Army, Ben learned to take complex plans and turn them into clear direction for his team. Today, he applies that same approach at Howden Re, helping colleagues understand what matters, what needs to happen and when.

For him, effective operations aren’t about adding more processes or simply passing along information; it's about removing obstacles so others can focus on delivering the best outcomes for clients.

It's also an opportunity to bring his own experience to the business, helping teams work more effectively while continuing to learn from the people around him.