People Moves: Howden Re Launches Danish Office, Naming Ellborg as MD; Re/Insurance Broker Cogent Names Holberry as CEO Designate
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Howden Re and the re/insurance broker Cogent.
A summary of these new hires follows here.
Howden Re Launches Danish Office, Naming Ellborg as MD
Howden Re, the London-based reinsurance unit of Howden, has opened an office in Copenhagen and appointed Jens Ellborg as managing director, effective Nov. 1, 2026.
Ellborg will lead the expansion of Howden Re’s Danish offering, working closely with reinsurance colleagues across the region and with Howden Denmark. He will support insurers, MGAs and other market participants with reinsurance, analytics and access to traditional, structured and alternative capital. With more than 40 years’ experience in the Nordic reinsurance market, Ellborg is well positioned to understand client requirements and deliver differentiated solutions.
Ellborg was previously reinsurance manager for Topdanmark (a Sampo subsidiary), where he worked for 34 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Howden Re said the launch of its Copenhagen office is the latest step in its ongoing investment in the Nordic and Baltic region. Co-led by Sophia Dunér and Camilla Langensjö from Stockholm, the Nordic business has served clients for 15 years and now comprises more than 20 colleagues across broking, analytics, catastrophe modelling and client service. The team draws on additional expertise in London and its other European centers.
The announcement forms part of Howden Re’s broader growth across its international business, including new operations in Portugal and Ireland, the appointment of David Simpson to focus on continental Europe and the Nordics, and an expanded Alternative Solutions practice with parametric capability.
“We are investing with purpose across Europe to support the next phase of Howden Re’s growth. A permanent office and leadership on the ground in Denmark adds an important market to that platform and gives us a stronger base from which to serve clients across the Nordic and Baltic region,” commented Tobias Andersson, head of Continental Europe, Howden Re International.
“I am excited to announce the continued growth of Howden Re’s Nordic platform. Our local offices bring us closer to clients and markets, connecting them with the best of Howden Re globally,” according to Sophia Dunér, managing director and co-head Nordics, Howden Re International. “This proximity enables us to deliver geographic, capital and product-agnostic solutions through teams built around each client’s needs.”
Lars Gundorph, CEO, Howden Denmark, said: “Combining local market understanding with the scale, expertise and resources of Howden Re creates a compelling proposition for Danish insurers and reinsurers.”
Re/Insurance Broker Cogent Names Holberry as CEO Designate
Cogent, the London-based re/insurance broker, announced the appointment of Adam Holberry as CEO Designate, effective Oct. 1, 2026, to lead the business into its next phase of growth.
Holberry brings significant experience leading and developing specialist insurance businesses, alongside deep relationships across the London market, Cogent said. He will work closely with group CEO Mark Bishop as well as with Cogent’s board and wider leadership team.
“As Cogent moves into its next phase, our independence, culture and client focus will not change. I remain fully engaged on a day-to-day basis, and Adam Holberry’s arrival will give us extra capacity to deliver our growth plans. I am very excited to welcome him to the team,” commented Bishop.
About Cogent
A Lloyd’s broker since 1986, Cogent’s core expertise spans international and north American complex commercial and industrial property, energy, aviation, specialty delegated authorities, accident & health, political violence, terrorism, political risk and trade credit. Cogent places business across all major international markets, providing bespoke solutions for complex insurance and reinsurance needs.