Howden, part of the Hyperion Insurance Group, has successfully completed the first stage of its integration of leading UK Employee Benefits and Health protection consultancy, Punter Southall Health & Protection Holdings Ltd (PSHPH), and its trading subsidiaries Punter Southall Health and Protection Ltd, Red Arc Assured Ltd and Risk Policy Administration Ltd (t/a Psyon). This includes the rebrand of Punter Southall Health and Protection Ltd and this specialist division will be known as Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing.
Independently and privately-owned, Howden aims to become a leading global force in the employee benefits and wellbeing market.
The acquisition significantly expands Howden’s international employee benefits and wellbeing capability and gives its clients – both in the UK and internationally – a greater choice of innovative products, services and technology to attract, retain and protect their employees.
Glenn Thomas, Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing’s Managing Director and Global Practice Leader, will lead the newly integrated business. Paul Johnston, CEO of PSHPH has been appointed as Howden UK’s Chief Technology Officer and John Dean, former Chief Commercial Officer has become Executive Director within Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing.
The acquisition marks a new era for the team and clients of Punter Southall Health & Protection. Being part of Howden will bring positive changes for its clients not only in terms of service, innovation and industry knowledge, but in providing a wider range of services, specialist advice and global expertise from within the wider Howden Group.
Glenn Thomas, said, “This is a milestone acquisition for Howden that will significantly strengthen our UK and international growth strategy. Punter Southall Health and Protection is an established market leader in employee benefits and wellbeing consulting. There are many great synergies between our companies in terms of values and our approach to business. Together, we provide a fresh alternative to the global market players. We know that businesses are looking for greater choice and our different approach means we can deliver that.”
He added, “As we build our employee benefits and wellbeing business, we have a fantastic opportunity to combine and harness the commitment, expertise and knowledge of our colleagues from Punter Southall Health & Protection and Howden.
“Our clients will now have greater choice and access to a range of innovative employee benefits and wellbeing solutions and services including Havensrock Med24, a 24-hour GP service; Havensrock Thrive, an NHS approved mental health app; RedArc specialist nursing services; and cutting-edge employee benefits technology and data analytics solutions, delivered by Psyon.”
Paul Johnston, Chief Technology Officer, Howden says, “Joining Howden is a new and exciting chapter for us. Howden’s international scale and independent structure means it is agile, flexible and can respond quickly to market needs. Howden shares our entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation and together we plan to be at the forefront of driving new employee benefit and technology solutions.”
Glenn Thomas, concludes, “The employee benefits and wellbeing market needs greater competition and we can offer a new and very genuine alternative to the global players. We want to create ‘simply the best in class’ business in our sector, recognised for our innovation, great client service and propositions. And as an employee-owned business with a ‘People first’ ethos, we want to be a great place to work and to continue to attract the best in the industry.”