Global insurance intermediary group Howden has agreed to acquire Evelyn Partners Financial Services (EPFS), the employee benefits consultancy arm of wealth management group Evelyn Partners.
The acquisition is intended to strengthen Howden’s UK corporate health and employee benefits offering and is a step forward in its strategy to invest in expertise to benefit its clients. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and expected to complete in the first quarter of 2026.
EPFS’s 38 employees based in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Guildford and led by Gareth Sawyer, head of employee benefits at Evelyn Partners, will transfer to Howden in the first quarter of 2026. Sawyer will report to Cheryl Brennan, managing director at Howden Employee Benefits, following completion.
Brennan said: “EPFS brings a highly experienced team with an excellent reputation and a culture that mirrors our own. This acquisition reinforces Howden’s investment in our full-service employee benefits proposition, strengthening our ability to deliver fresh thinking and trusted advice for corporates seeking a global employee benefits broker with a client-first approach.
“We’re delighted to welcome the EPFS team and to build on our strong relationship with the wider Evelyn Partners group as we continue to grow our scale and impact in the corporate health and benefits market.”
Sawyer added: “Howden will be an excellent long-term home for the team and the clients we serve through access to Howden’s wider proposition offering and global presence. The deal provides clarity on our future and will bring exciting opportunities as we become part of a global organisation. Our clients can expect business as usual, with the team remaining focused on delivering high-quality advice to help them attract and retain talent in a competitive market, while retaining a close relationship and continued collaboration with Evelyn Partners.”
Paul Geddes, chief executive officer at Evelyn Partners, said: “The sale of our employee benefits consultancy further streamlines Evelyn Partners’ range of activities as part of our strategic decision to focus solely on wealth management. Howden will be a great long-term owner, providing new opportunities for our employee benefits team and continuity of the services they provide to clients. I would like to thank the team for the contribution they have made over many years and wish them well for the future as part of Howden.”
