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Howard Aron

Insurance founder and former executive

By South African Index Editorial Desk · Published · Last reviewed

OUTsurance branch interior used as a representative image for co-founder Howard Aron
Representative image of an OUTsurance branch. No verified reusable portrait of Howard Aron was used.: OUTsurance / supplied to Business Day · Source. Resized and converted to WebP for this site.

Howard Aron is one of the three founders named in OUTsurance’s official company history. [1]

The company’s 2013 report says he helped establish Youi and later carried group technology responsibility. [2]

OUTsurance founding

Aron formed part of the three-person founder team behind the February 1998 launch. [1]

Joint leadership

He shared managing-director and group chief-executive responsibilities with Willem Roos. [2][3]

Youi and technology

The 2013 annual report links Aron to Youi’s establishment and the group technology function. [2]

Key contributions

Co-founded OUTsurance with Willem Roos and René Otto. [1]

Served in joint executive leadership from May 2001. [2][3]

Helped establish Youi and later carried group technology responsibility. [2]

Received a South African entrepreneur award with Roos as joint founders. [4]

Life and career timeline

  1. Co-founded OUTsurance and launched direct car and household cover. [1]

  2. Became joint managing director with Willem Roos. [2]

  3. Youi launched in Australia after Aron helped establish the business. [1][2]

  4. Served as joint group chief executive and an executive director. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Did Howard Aron found OUTsurance?

Yes. OUTsurance names Howard Aron, Willem Roos and René Otto as its three founders. [1]

What was Howard Aron’s role at Youi?

OUTsurance’s 2013 annual report says he was instrumental in setting up Youi. [2]

Was Howard Aron the only OUTsurance chief executive?

No. Company reports document shared management roles with Willem Roos. [2][3]

Related people

  • Willem Roos — South African actuary and entrepreneur who co-founded OUTsurance, launched in February 1998.
  • René Otto — South African insurance co-founder named by OUTsurance as one of the three people who brought the direct insurer to life in 1998.

Associated organisations

Related research

Sources

  1. OUTsurance, History and culture at OUTsurance. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩
  2. OUTsurance, Annual Report 2013, 2013-06-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩
  3. OUTsurance, Annual Report 2015, 2015-06-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩
  4. OUTsurance, Willem Roos and Howard Aron won Ernst & Young Best Entrepreneur Award. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-25. ↩