DUBLIN, May 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, today announced the firm 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 resolves questions raised by the European Commission with respect to the markets in which these businesses are active. Aon and Willis Towers Watson continue 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.
“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 during FY 2019-2020, an increase of 10.1 percent driven by success across a wide range of sectors. 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.
“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.”
Punwani added, “We see a meeting of minds with the knowledgeable and dynamic people who lead the business in Germany. We are truly excited about welcoming this fantastic team as part of LCP and achieving great things together for the benefit of our people and our clients.”
The retirement and investment business LCP will acquire 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.
ENDS
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. Our 50,000 colleagues in 120 countries empower results for clients by using proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance.
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About LCP
At LCP, our experts provide clear, concise advice focused on your needs. We use innovative technology to give you real time insight & control. Our experts work in pensions, investment, insurance, energy, health and analytics.
Media Contacts
Aon – Nadine Youssef, [email protected], +1 833 751 8114
LCP – Lauren Keith, [email protected], +44 (0) 20 3922 1319
Statements Required by the Irish Takeover Rules
The directors of Aon accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of Aon (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
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the failure to retain and attract qualified personnel, whether as a result of the Combination, divestitures made in connection with the Combination or otherwise; international risks associated with Aon’s global operations; the effects of natural or man-made disasters, including the effects of COVID-19 and other health pandemics; the potential of a system or network breach or disruption resulting in operational interruption or improper disclosure of personal data; Aon’s ability to develop and implement new technology; the damage to Aon’s reputation among clients, markets or third parties; the actions taken by third parties that perform aspects of Aon’s business operations and client services; the extent to which Aon manages certain risks created in connection with the services, including fiduciary and investments, consulting, and other advisory services, among others, that Aon currently provides, or will provide in the future, to clients; Aon’s ability to continue, and the costs and risks associated with, growing, developing and integrating companies that it acquires or new lines of business; 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the failure to effectively integrate the combined businesses following the Combination; significant transaction and integration costs or difficulties in connection with the Combination, or divestitures made in connection with the Combination, and or unknown or inestimable liabilities; litigation associated with the Combination; the potential impact of the consummation of the Combination and divestures made in connection with the Combination on relationships, including with suppliers, customers, employees and regulators; and general economic, business and political conditions (including any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, including COVID-19) that affect the combined company following the consummation of the Combination.
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