Crescent Specialty adds McGriff’s Howes as MD of upstream/midstream

By Chris Munro

Jan 28 - (The Insurer) - Crescent Specialty has bolstered its ranks with the hire of Russel Howes as managing director of upstream/midstream energy, with the recruit joining the Houston, Texas-based MGA from McGriff.

The new hire’s focus will predominantly be on underwriting upstream and midstream energy business, Program Manager understands.

Howes brings almost three decades of experience to Crescent Specialty. He spent almost four years at McGiff, latterly as a senior vice president, prior to which Howes was at WTW for over a decade, most recently as the broker’s head of Houston property.

His career also includes a long 13-year stint at Miller Insurance Services, along with just over a year at Aon.

“Russ brings a wealth of experience and expertise across all sectors of the industry which will add invaluable resources to our group as we continue to grow,” Crescent Specialty said in a statement.

Howes' arrival comes as Crescent Specialty gears up for a growth drive in 2025. As Program Managerreported on Monday, the newly appointedLloyd’s coverholder has set its sights on entering new segments of energy and marine business this year, as well as bringing on new staff to support its expansion.

Crescent Specialty, which is led by energy market veteran Bill Farnan, began underwriting its book of energy and marine business in 2023.

It secured Lloyd’s coverholder status late last year having been sponsored by capacity provider Canopius.

As Farnan explained to Program Manager earlier this month, Crescent Specialty is now in the process of adding capacity, which will allow it to write larger lines on the accounts it supports as it seeks to grow in 2025.