About us

Claire joined as CEO of Howden Foundation in May 2025, bringing with her 15 years’ experience in international corporate and climate philanthropy.

Prior to joining Howden Foundation, Claire was Chief Investment Officer at the BHP Foundation, where she oversaw development and execution of the Foundation’s strategy, and led an international team to maximise the outcomes and impact of the Foundation’s grant-making, overseeing a portfolio of over $50 million per year.

Claire began her philanthropic career at one of the world’s largest global climate funders, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, where she led programme, portfolio and grant-making work before moving into the role of the Chief of Staff to the CEO.

Claire began her career at Ernst and Young where she worked with clients in both the public and private sector in Assurance and Advisory. She has a Master of Arts in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Claire is also a Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee for the UK-based charity, Integrity Action.

Clare joined Howden Foundation in 2021, and spent three years overseeing all of the Foundation’s grantmaking and activities, including launching the Foundation’s ambitious strategy to build community-based resilience towards the impacts of climate change. Clare was promoted to COO in May 2025, in recognition of the instrumental role that she has played in shaping the Foundation you see today.

Clare believes deeply in the unique role that philanthropic capital can play in fostering sustainable change, and has ten years’ experience working at the intersection of UK corporate philanthropy and international grant-making, including her tenure at international grant-making charity, the Maitri Trust. Clare possesses a deep understanding of the non-profit sector, and is highly skilled at aligning philanthropic efforts with business objectives and values, as well as being highly proficient in all aspects of international grant-making.

Hannah joined the Howden Foundation March 2024. Hannah has spent more than 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, and prior to joining the foundation led the Tudor Trust’s international grant-making programme on locally-led agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa, and co-led the Grants Team with an annual portfolio of £20M. Hannah's leadership experience also includes charity governance, including at the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, where she was Vice-Chair between 2021 and 2023.

Hannah is passionate about the role that locally-led, catalytic and empowering grant-making can play. Prior to moving into philanthropy 15 years ago, she led frontline charity projects in international NGOs such as Peace Direct, Quaker Peace and Social Witness. Hannah holds an MSc in International Relations from LSE.

Meghann joined the Howden Foundation in January 2025, bringing with her over a decade of experience working at the intersection of philanthropy, non-profit management, and grassroots social justice movements. Meghann has held trustee, advisory and grant-making roles within private family offices, charitable foundations and non-profit organisations – including the Rothschild Foundation and Farming the Future.

Driven by a deep passion for climate justice and social equity, Meghann has a particular interest in philanthropy’s ability to foster change through strategic partnerships and collaborative working. She has facilitated funder collaborations and led multiple partnerships between the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Meghann is a tri-citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

Beth joined Howden Foundation in January 2026 from Forest Carbon Ltd, the developer recognised for kickstarting the UK’s voluntary woodland carbon market. Her background spans behaviour‑change climate tech, ESG reporting and carbon measurement, with a focus on helping small and emerging initiatives articulate their value and connect with the right audiences.

As Communications and Engagement Lead, she shapes the stories and language that bring the foundation’s mission and impact to life, ensuring its work is clearly understood across partners, colleagues, and the wider stakeholder landscape.

Beth is passionate about translating complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that inspire action, strengthen connection, and deepen the foundation’s credibility as a trusted, values‑driven force for a more resilient future.

David started his career as a broker at Alexander Howden in 1981. He founded the Group in 1994 originally as a wholesale broker employing just three people. He has been the fundamental driving force behind its expansion into an international insurance group offering wholesale, retail and reinsurance broking and underwriting.

As Chief Executive. David's focus is on leading the Group's M&A activities as well as directing and implementing the Group's strategic growth and direction.

He is also a passionate champion of insurance as a force for good and believes it has a major role to play in helping nations respond to the challenges of climate change.

Dr Tom Mitchell is Executive Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), one of the world’s leading independent policy and action research organisations. A globally recognised expert on climate resilience, systems innovation, and disaster risk reduction, he previously held senior roles at Climate‑KIC, including Chief Strategy Officer, where he helped shape a transformative innovation agenda, and led the Climate Change and Environment Programme at the Overseas Development Institute. Dr Mitchell has advised the UN on disaster risk reduction, served as a Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC Special Report on Extreme Events and Disasters, and has published widely on climate resilience. He holds a PhD in climate and disaster risk management.

Louise is one of the three founding members of Howden. Starting out as a specialist broker, Louise went on to set up Howden Italy in Milan, ran Howden North Europe for a few years and is currently Chief of Staff to David Howden. She joined the board of the foundation in 2022.

Louise is a passionate advocate for the role the private sector can play in mitigating the effects of climate change on the world's most vulnerable communities.

Serge is Chief Financial Officer of Howden Europe, Growth and Innovation, having spent almost 25 years of experience in financial services across leading global organisations including American Express, Barclaycard, and Towergate Insurance.

In 2025, Serge joined the board of the Howden Foundation, driven by a mission to support underserved communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change. Serge previously served as a trustee for the UK charity, Friendship Works, supporting vulnerable young people through mentoring and advocacy.

Rebecca is Chief Risk Officer at Howden and joined the foundation board in 2021. Prior to joining Howden, Rebecca was CRO at a Lloyd's managing agency and a partner at chartered accountancy firm Mazars.

Rebecca says “for me, the key word is ‘share’. Too often, it’s considered meek or passive – but really it is a truly magical and powerful word. The foundation is focused on sharing both the financial and intellectual resources of Howden with those battling the effects of climate change. The work done by the organisations we support to meet the challenges the world faces is truly awe-inspiring and it’s a privilege to be able, through the foundation, to share in just a little of what they achieve.”

Lucy is a corporate sustainability and social impact director, with experience working in a range of large, international organisations including Wellington Management, Aviva and Hilton. She joined the board in 2022.

Lucy has over 15 years of experience developing and executing social impact and corporate sustainability strategies, incorporating international market alignment, operational environment management, strategic charitable partnerships, ESG reporting and human rights due diligence. She is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and is co-chair of its London steering group.

Heather has over 40 years’ experience in the specialty (re)insurance business, having held senior leadership roles in underwriting, business development and operations. She now serves on the board of DUAL, the underwriting arm of Howden, as an independent non-executive director.

Heather is also an experienced charity board trustee who is passionate about the importance of the non-profit sector and the powerful contribution it can make in addressing both local and global challenges.

She is a trustee of the Howden Foundation, as well as being an ambassador for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (UK).

Rachel Turner CBE brings more than 35 years’ experience in international finance and public policy, with a strong track record of translating complex financial frameworks into real-world impact for vulnerable communities. Formerly Director of International Finance at the FCDO, she led a global portfolio spanning development, disaster risk, and green finance and has led humanitarian work in Africa. She now serves on the board of the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, with extensive board and governance experience, including with the Africa Risk Capacity and the Centre for Disaster Protection.

Nick Stace OBE is the newly appointed Chief Global Impact Officer at Howden, driving the Group’s agenda to be a force for good. Previously Head of Social Purpose and Sustainable Finance at Barclays UK and CEO of The Prince’s Trust, he brings senior experience across business, regulation, and social impact. Nick is Chair of the Prison Reform Trust and The Conduit and has sat on the boards of the Financial Conduct Authority and the National Trust.