Claims Expert - Real Estate

Howden appoints Zern to head up US health & benefits division. Howden has appointed John Zern (pictured) as vice chair of health and benefits at Howden US, a move that the company said positions it to lead employers through the steepest sustained rise in healthcare costs in more than two decades. Zern will oversee Howden's health and benefits practice, growing its presence across the employer community and helping to shape the firm's US strategy. He joins as employers face mounting pressure from increasing pharmacy spend, complex medical claims and employees' expectations for more personalised benefits - all while needing to be underpinned by superior data- and AI-driven strategies. Zern brings more than 35 years of experience leading and growing significant employee benefits and property-casualty businesses, including at one of the industry's largest global brokers. He joins Howden from Ryan Specialty Benefits, where he served as president and chief executive. "John is among the most respected leaders in this industry, and his experience building and scaling benefits businesses will prove instrumental as we provide Health and Benefits offerings that set new standards," said Mike Parrish, chief executive of Howden Americas. "Attracting leaders of John's calibre is how we keep raising the bar for clients." As a member of Howden's senior US leadership team, Zern's appointment builds on the firm's global investment in the space, including recent acquisitions and senior hires that have significantly scaled its international Health and Benefits capability, positioning Howden as a leading firm of choice for employers seeking a more specialised, client-first partner in the US market. "Employers are under more pressure than ever to deliver benefits that work for their people while addressing the increased investment in healthcare spend. Howden's specialist-led, data-informed and technology-forward client service model is exactly what this moment needs. I'm excited to advance an already distinctive Health and Benefits business with an exceptional team that breaks from the industry's status quo by giving our clients the clarity and control they need, backed by the scale and expertise of a truly global platform," said Zern. Editor's picks. 11 September 2026 10 September 2026 2 September 2026 19 August 2026 18 August 2026 14 August 2026

FintechOS to double down on US growth with £21m boost. London-based agentic platform serving financial services secures combined equity and debt refinancing after reaching profitability FintechOS has raised £21 million in combined equity and debt financing from its current shareholder base. The London-based agentic platform serves banks, insurers and other financial services companies across the United States and Europe. The investors include Bek Ventures, IFC, Cipio Partners and Molten Ventures, alongside a senior debt facility from Santander CIB. The investment will be used to further set up the company's expansion base in the United States, deepen its European client portfolio, and scale the delivery practice behind its AI-native platform. The round follows a strong first half of 2026 for FintechOS, during which the company confirmed it had reached profitability while growing recurring revenue 40% year-on-year for the first half of 2026, driven in large part by 130% growth in the US market. Operational EBITDA had climbed to more than 102% year-on-year, as gross margin gains allowed the company to fund its next phase of growth without slowing down. The company expects to close a record number of new customers in 2026, with more than 20 new financial institutions worldwide adopting their AI-native platform, FintechOS 8. "Reaching profitability was not an accident, it was the outcome of a deliberate, multi-year effort to get our cost base, our margins and our delivery practice right before we pushed harder on growth again," said Cyril Desouza, CFO of FintechOS. "Now that discipline is paying off twice over: the business has reached profitability, and we've already made the shift back into high growth, which is exactly the combination that lets us take on a round like this one." The United States has been FintechOS's fastest-growing market for the past year, and the company is now moving to scale that momentum further. The firm says it is appointing a strong set of board directors in the US market, including a new chairman, to help drive the strategy for the next phase of the company's expansion and strategic partnerships across the region, building on the 130% year-on-year growth already achieved there. FintechOS's strategic partnership with Finxact - part of Fiserv, one of the largest core banking and payments providers in the US - builds on existing partnerships such as the one with Finastra Phoenix, another leading core banking provider, opening the door to a new pool of bank and credit union clients set to join a roster that already includes ESL Federal Credit Union, Vibrant Credit Union, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Farmers Bank of Willards, MHG Insurance and others. The company is targeting more than 200% year-on-year growth in the US over the next 12 months. Teo Blidarus (pictured), founder and CEO, added: "Growth and profitability go hand in hand, not at the expense of one another. "Santander CIB's support, alongside other investors that trust us, is a strong vote of confidence in the path we're on, and it gives us the capital to go after the extraordinary potential we see ahead, particularly in the US, without compromising the discipline that got us to profitability in the first place." Alongside its US acceleration, FintechOS is consolidating its presence in European banking and insurance, partnering with new customers in the UK while also continuing strong partnerships with systemic organisations including BRD Groupe Société Générale, Admiral, CEC Bank, Howden, Bankinter and Groupama.

HEB taps Deegan for board & benefits role. Howden Employee Benefits (HEB) has appointed John Deegan (pictured) to its UK board as a non-executive director and as an adviser to its global employee benefits executive leadership team. HEB said that Deegan brings more than 25 years of experience across Mercer Marsh Benefits and its predecessor businesses. His roles included leading its multinational employee benefits business and responsibility for Darwin, its global benefits technology platform. He has led colleagues and client teams across more than 70 countries, helping multinational employers manage employee benefits across different markets and bringing together local expertise, technology and a consistent client approach. Deegan joins the board as Howden Employee Benefits continues to expand its employee benefits capabilities internationally and build its proposition for multinational employers. Glenn Thomas, CEO & Global Practice Leader, Health & Employee Benefits, said: "Having worked with John in the past and formed a strong relationship over the years, I believe he will bring huge value to Howden. John knows this market inside out and has spent his career working with multinational employers, building strong teams and understanding what clients need from their benefits partner. He will also fit extremely well into its People First culture. "We are building something exciting at Howden and there is a real opportunity ahead of us. Having John on the board brings experience, perspective and the right sort of challenge. I am delighted he is joining us." Deegan said: "What drew me to Howden was the people, the energy and the chance to be part of a business that is building with real intent. "Employers want a partner that understands the bigger picture but can also deliver where their people are. Howden has the ambition and the local expertise to do that well. I am looking forward to working with Glenn and the team." Deegan will advise and support the board in a non-executive capacity as the business continues its global expansion. Editor's picks. 2 September 2026 18 August 2026 14 August 2026 12 August 2026 11 August 2026