Howden Strengthens Leadership with New Group Chief Legal Officer in 2026
Howden has appointed Christopher Dalrymple as its new Group Chief Legal Officer, effective 23 March 2026. The move follows his long career in senior legal roles, including over two decades at Alleghany Corporation. His arrival comes shortly after Susan Panuccio joined Howden as Group Chief Financial Officer.
Dalrymple brings more than 25 years of experience in legal leadership, specialising in insurance and financial services. At Alleghany Corporation, he served as General Counsel, overseeing international legal teams and advising the Board and CEO on key strategic decisions. His expertise spans public company governance, private equity, and capital markets.
After Berkshire Hathaway acquired Alleghany in March 2022, the company's market position in insurance strengthened. Specialty insurers like TransRe and CapSpecialty integrated smoothly into Berkshire's existing portfolio, boosting premium volumes and capital reserves without significant market share losses through 2026.
David Shalders, Howden's Group Chief Operating Officer, welcomed the appointment. He noted Dalrymple's sharp commercial judgement and strong track record in complex legal environments. Dalrymple himself expressed enthusiasm about joining Howden during its next phase of growth.
The appointment adds to Howden's expanding leadership team, following recent high-profile hires. Dalrymple's deep industry knowledge and legal expertise are set to support the company's strategic ambitions. His role will take effect in March 2026.
