Founded in 1964 by Jean-Pierre Lecomte, OFRACAR has established itself as a leading broker specializing in property & casualty, employee benefits, motor fleet, and transport services, primarily serving clients in Normandy. With its main offices in Rouen, Rennes, and Lyon, the company boasts a workforce of 84 employees.
With a clientele base of approximately 2000 across Normandy and France, OFRACAR’s acquisition marks a significant milestone for Howden, aiming to expand its geographical reach and enhance services for clients in north-west France.
The acquisition aligns with Howden’s strategic vision to bolster its presence in key markets. Following this move, Howden France, established in February 2022, will witness a substantial growth in its workforce, now employing 380 professionals across 13 offices throughout the country.
This acquisition follows a series of strategic expansions by Howden France, including the recent acquisitions of Financial Lines specialist C.R.F. Conseils, Motor Fleet broker Théorème, and Maritime [company name]. These developments underscore Howden’s commitment to providing comprehensive insurance solutions and exceptional service to its clients in France and beyond.
Commenting on the move, Nicolas Aubert, CEO of Howden France, said: “OFRACAR has been recognised as a market leader for several decades, and thanks to this new acquisition, we are welcoming a talented team and integrating new offerings to broaden our expertise.”
He continued: “Already present in Normandy with a team dedicated to the Maritime sector, we are underlining our commitment to regional development by expanding our capabilities and accelerating the delivery of Howden’s global specialty expertise into local markets for the benefit of local clients.”
Luigi Sturani, CEO of Howden Europe, also said: “This acquisition marks an exciting next step in our growth journey, reflecting the significant expansion of our operations in France over the last two years. This expansion stands as a testament to our patient and strategic commitment to the country. We have become a scale operator in every major insurance market in Europe, and we continue to deliver our long-stated ambition to build the leading European broker for both clients and talent by partnering with the very best businesses.”
Stéphane Lecomte, CEO of OFRACAR, concluded: “Our commitment to shaping the future of all our employees has led us to choose Howden as our next partner – an international broker with an entrepreneurial ethos and ambitious growth plans in France. I am thrilled to continue OFRACAR’s 60-year legacy with our colleagues in Howden France, who share our entrepreneurial spirit and People First culture.”
He added: “Our unified teams are now perfectly positioned to assist SMEs and mid-sized companies across the Normandy region, throughout France, and across Europe.”
