Howden Re expands China push with three hires

The senior executives will be based in Hong Kong across specialist reinsurance divisions.

Howden Re, the global reinsurance and capital markets arm of Howden, has expanded its presence in the Chinese market with three senior appointments across its treaty, retrocession, and agriculture divisions. 

All three executives will be based in Hong Kong.

Houqin Zhu joined the firm on 17 June as Managing Director and head of China Treaty. 

Moving from Aon Re, where he was Managing Director for property and casualty reinsurance in Hong Kong and China, Zhu brings over 40 years of international market experience. 

He has previously held leadership positions at Willis Re and TigerRisk. In his new role, he will drive treaty business growth and mentor younger professionals within the firm.

Mike Xin will join on 13 July as Managing Director and head of Agriculture, APAC. 

He moves from Gallagher Re, where he was Executive Director for China agricultural reinsurance and APAC regional business. 

With more than 20 years of experience, including previous roles at JLT Re and Aon Benfield, Xin will oversee regional agricultural capabilities, focusing on connecting Chinese clients with international reinsurance capacity.

David Song will join the firm in October as Managing Director and head of Retrocession, Greater China, following the completion of his current contractual obligations. 

He joins from Guy Carpenter, where he served as Deputy head of Hong Kong and Senior Vice President. 

Song has nearly 30 years of industry experience, including an eight-year tenure at Aon Re China, and specialises in property and casualty, agriculture, retrocession, and insurance-linked securities. 

He will focus on expanding Howden Re's retrocession services and helping reinsurers source capital across Hong Kong and mainland China.