About Us

Our Beginnings

ES Risks was founded in 2007 by Chris Hobbs, with its first home in the historic insurance district of the City of London. From the start, the business was built on independence, expertise, and a determination to do things differently, creating tailored solutions in a market often dominated by scale rather than service. In those early years, the London insurance market was undergoing major change, with consolidation among large brokers and growing demand for more specialist, agile firms. ES Risks positioned itself firmly as one of those independents, focused on expertise, client advocacy, and lasting relationships.

 

Growth and Specialisation

As the business grew, ES Risks developed strong capabilities in niche sectors, working closely with sector experts and building a reputation for creating innovative solutions where others could not. The mid-2000s and 2010s were a time when regulation was tightening, the Financial Services Authority (later the FCA) was sharpening its oversight, and Lloyd’s itself was modernising its market access. Against this backdrop, ES Risks thrived as a Coverholder and Lloyd’s broker, combining compliance discipline with entrepreneurial energy.

 

Athens and Europe

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 created a new reality for brokers and insurers alike. Many firms had to rethink their European strategies to ensure continuity of service to clients across the continent. For ES Risks, this led to the opening of ES Risks Europe in Athens, an important milestone that ensured we could continue to serve European partners without interruption. The Athens office quickly became a hub for building relationships and delivering capacity solutions across the EU, reinforcing our identity as an outward-looking, international business.

 

Sale and Buyback

In 2021, ES Risks became part of Howden, one of the world’s fastest-growing broking groups. This reflected a wider trend in the insurance industry: consolidation, as independent firms were increasingly acquired by global groups seeking scale and reach. While this partnership provided opportunities, the spirit of independence remained strong at ES Risks. In time, that independence was reasserted, when a consortium of staff, led by founder Chris Hobbs, bought back the business. This moment marked a return to our roots: entrepreneurial, independent, and proudly specialist.

 

Where We Are Today

From our base in America Square to our expansion into Athens, and from industry consolidation to our rebirth as a staff-owned independent broker, the ES Risks story has always been about resilience, adaptability, and a clear vision. We continue to thrive in a global insurance world shaped by regulation, innovation, and ever-evolving risks, committed to building partnerships that last and solutions that matter.