Marsh unit sues former marine leader over Howden move

Marsh McLennan Agency alleges that former marine insurance leader Baxter Southern illegally took more than $4 million in business, 36 clients and 17 other employees when he joined rival Howden earlier this year.

The lawsuit is one of several that Marsh units have filed against Howden, which has hired 140 former Marsh staff members since launching its U.S. retail operation in August.

In Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC v. Charles Baxter Southern III, filed Friday, the brokerage alleges that Mr. Southern, who joined through Marsh’s acquisition of McGriff in 2024, breached the nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements in his employment contract.

According to the suit, Mr. Southern, who led McGriff’s St. Louis and specialty marine teams, got to know Howden because the London broker acted as McGriff’s wholesale partner to place risks in the London market. He allegedly held meetings about joining Howden during a visit to the United Kingdom in June.

Howden, which is not a defendant in the lawsuit, declined to comment.

Mr. Southern resigned from Marsh McLennan Agency on July 21, and other members of the St. Louis and marine teams also resigned to join Howden.

“The McGriff leavers immediately began to work for Howden, with the St. Louis-based leavers working in the basement of Southern’s own home — ensuring Southern’s involvement and knowledge of all aspects of their work,” the suit says.

Mr. Southern directed them to contact Marsh McLennan Agency clients seeking to bring them over to Howden, it alleges.

“To date, Southern’s actions have harmed MMA by depriving it of over $4 million in annual recurring revenue — amounting to nearly half of the annually recurring revenue of MMA’s Marine Team,” the suit says.