Aon to Sell Pensions Business in Germany, in Another Step to Get EU Nod for WTW Deal
Aon plc announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its pensions consulting, pension insurance broking, pensions administration and investment consulting business in Germany to Lane Clark & Peacock LLP (LCP).
The agreement is another step Aon and Willis Towers Watson are taking to resolve antitrust concerns raised by the European Commission with respect to the proposed $30 billion takeover of WTW by Aon, which would create the world’s largest insurance broker.
Last week, the brokers announced an agreement to sell Willis Re and a set of Willis Towers Watson corporate risk and broking and health and benefits services to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. for a total consideration of $3.57 billion.
Aon and WTW said they are continuing to work toward obtaining additional regulatory approval in all relevant jurisdictions, including the United States, where regulators are conducting an independent review of the proposed combination.
Read more: Aon, Willis Towers Watson to Sell WTW Assets to Gallagher for $3.57 Billion
“This agreement demonstrates further momentum on the path to close our proposed combination with Willis Towers Watson,” said Greg Case, Aon’s CEO. “We recognize the significant contributions these colleagues have made on behalf of our clients during their time with Aon. LCP shares with us a culture of innovation and excellence and we know these colleagues have a positive future at LCP.”
LCP is the leading independent, owner-managed pensions, investment and insurance consultancy in the UK and Ireland. The acquisition builds on a period of growth for LCP, which posted record income of £126.5 million (US$178.2 million) during FY 2019-2020, an increase of 10.1%, driven by success across a wide range of sectors, said Aon.
With a significant market share in Germany, the acquisition gives LCP a leading market position in this important market for pensions consulting and related services, the broker added.
“A key part of LCP’s strategy is diversifying the business into different markets with long-term growth potential,” said Aaron Punwani, LCP’s CEO. “The German pensions consulting market is the third largest in the world, after the U.S. and the UK, which makes it a natural place for LCP to achieve a leading position, mirroring what we have achieved in the UK in recent years.”
Aon’s retirement and investment business in Germany includes 350 colleagues across five offices in Germany and will be rebranded as LCP upon close of the transaction.
The transaction with LCP is contingent on the completion of the pending Aon and Willis Towers Watson combination, as well as other customary closing conditions.
Source: Aon