HW International, a privately held broking group with offices in Europe and Australia, will change its trading name to Dubois following divestments and a move to new ownership. 

The Netherlands-headquartered company says the name translates to “of wood” in French, reflecting its origins under founder Hugh Wood, who built the business based on trust and specialist knowledge.

“Dubois carries that legacy forward with the people our clients know, the service they expect and a united name across all our offices,” owner Maurits Kleingeld said.

The group sold its US and Canada operations to Risk Strategies in March 2024, and Steadfast later that year bought London-based HW Wood along with HWI France and the Greece operations.

A HW International management buyout, backed by a family investment company, took effect last April that included offices in Germany, Spain, Portugal and Australia, plus European managing general agent platform NuVu.

“Australia is a key growth market for us, and we are investing in expanding our Melbourne team and capability,” owner and head of marketing Danielle Kleingeld told insuranceNEWS.com.au. 

HW Wood Australia, which began providing insurance and risk management services in 1989, offers specialties such as film and entertainment insurance and wholesale logging and forestry cover, alongside broader commercial broking.