HW International B.V., an insurance broker group based in the Netherlands, plans to adopt the trading name Dubois from early 2026, with its Australian entity H. W. Wood Australia Pty Ltd expected to follow on a similar timeline. The change will see the Dubois name applied across group companies, communications, and digital channels in Europe and Australia. It follows a change in ownership and a restructuring of the group’s geographic footprint, and is intended to place remaining operations under a single brand while keeping existing client and broker relationships in place.
Owner Maurits Kleingeld said the decision is linked to the group’s history and the role of long-standing relationships. “This next step in our journey builds on the values that have guided us from the beginning. Hugh Wood built this business on trust and specialist knowledge, and that trust lives in our people and in the relationships they have with clients and brokers. Dubois carries that legacy forward with the people our clients know, the service they expect, and a united name across all our offices,” he said. The name Dubois translates as “of wood” in French, which the group says connects the new brand to founder Hugh Wood while indicating continuity under the current ownership structure.
In Australia, the group currently trades as H. W. Wood Australia Pty Ltd. The company plans to adopt the Dubois name through a formal change of company name in early 2026. The Australian operation places business in areas including film and entertainment, wholesale logging and forestry, and broader commercial lines. According to the group, clients and intermediary partners in Australia are expected to continue working with the same staff and contacts, with policies and coverage terms remaining in force under the new trading name. The change primarily affects how the business is identified in the market rather than its products, client base, or local management.
Global chief executive officer Juan Alberto Garcia said the rebrand is intended to make the group easier to recognise across markets. “Service is at the heart of how we work. Clients and partner brokers should recognise Dubois wherever they meet us. They will continue to work closely with people who know their business, receive clear advice, and benefit from access to our global broker network of more than 90 partner brokers worldwide,” he said. The roll-out of the Dubois name will be accompanied by an updated visual identity and website to align how the group presents itself in each territory where it operates.
The rebrand follows a management buyout of HW International B.V. announced in April 2025, backed by OBL Investments BV, a privately owned investment company. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, involves the acquisition of HWI BV, the Dutch holding company at the top of the group. The deal comes after a restructuring period in 2024 during which the group disposed of operations in North America, the UK, France, and Greece. Following those disposals, the group has indicated it will concentrate on existing offices in Australia, Germany, Portugal, and Spain and may consider further mergers and acquisitions to add to these markets.
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Garcia said the transaction provides capital to support the remaining network. “This is a landmark moment for HWI BV and our leadership team. It provides us with access to new funds which we will use to grow out our existing offices, support services, capabilities, and technology in Europe and beyond. With the continuing demand for independent broking and a strong MGA sector, we see plenty of potential as a flexible privately-owned broker together with our MGA platform that understands what entrepreneurial brokers and underwriters need to succeed,” he said.
He added that the earlier divestments were aimed at clarifying the group’s scope. “Whilst the MBO gives us the financial strength to broaden and develop our market offering, the 2024 period of consolidation means that we can now provide a clear message to clients and partners worldwide as to who we are. This is an opportunity to sharpen our focus, remain agile, and reinforce what matters most to our clients: expert advice, global reach, and trusted relationships, something our existing clients and partners welcome and have come to rely upon,” he said.
