Howden acquisition sees broker target ‘leading position’ in health, wellbeing and beauty insurance

Global broker Howden has purchased two beauty membership providers that offer insurance broking services in a move designed to become a leading force in the health, wellbeing and beauty sectors. 

Its acquisition of both Associated Beauty Therapists (ABT) and Associated Irish Therapists (AIT) will see it supplement its offering in these sectors across the UK and Ireland, with the purchased organisations specialising in covers including medical malpractice, treatment risk, professional indemnity and liabilities and asset protection. 

The two businesses will be folded into Howden’s established health and care division, which maintains a strong persence in the psychological therapy sector, with the deal set to almost double the number of the broker’s health and care customers to over 40,000.

Broker of choice

Mark Westgarth, managing director at Howden Health and Care, said: “Howden has a strong reputation across the entire health and care spectrum and has been an established insurance provider for Allied Healthcare professionals for over 25 years.

“Partnering with ABT and AIT further strengthens Howden’s health and care division and, with Howden’s successful product offering for psychological therapists and councillors combined with ABT and AIT’s deep expertise in the beauty industry, our teams are now perfectly positioned to become the broker of choice in both areas.”

David Horton, founder and group managing director at ABT and AIT, said: “Joining Howden is great news for us and our clients. Like us, Howden has a reputation for outstanding service and expertise. Their global resources will help us to provide more solutions to even more clients.”