Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, has announced the acquisition of Omni Insurance Brokers, a general insurance broker based in Auckland. Founded in 2006 by Clinton Alcock and Matthew Thorburn, Omni serves over 1,800 commercial and domestic clients across Auckland and the Central North Island.
A Howden media release said this strategic move accelerates Howden’s ambition to build a top-tier brokerage across the Pacific, boosting its Auckland footprint and unlocking new opportunities in the Central North Island through Omni’s Taupo office. The addition of Omni further strengthens Howden’s growing local network, which now includes Howden Broking NZ, Bridges Insurance, Sherpa, Howden Commercial Affinity (formerly Apex Group), and Howden Corporate (formerly Wallace McLean).
"Omni’s people-first, tailored approach to risk aligns seamlessly with Howden’s commitment to specialist expertise and client-centric solutions – making them a natural fit for delivering truly comprehensive insurance," said Matt Bacon (main picture), CEO, Howden Pacific. "Together, we’ll deliver global solutions with local expertise, creating a powerful force in the New Zealand market.”
In the release, Omni directors Clinton Alcock and Matthew Thorburn said the decision to join Howden was easy because of shared values and cultural alignment. They said Howden has rapidly established an exceptionally high-growth platform throughout NZ.
"While this partnership with Howden will greatly expand our geography, leverage, service offerings and trading markets, it’s also about aligning with an organisation that: puts people first, which resonates so strongly with our whole team," they said in the release.
Both Alcock and Thorburn will remain with the business.
