Limerick company bought by international insurance giant

Nick Baird, head of strategy and digital, Howden Financial Advisory with Tom Fitzgerald, David O’Neill, and Neal Kelly, all of whom founded Thomond Asset Management. They are pictured with Dermot Gaskin, financial advisory managing director, Howden | .

placeholder image — Nick Baird, head of strategy and digital, Howden Financial Advisory with Tom Fitzgerald, David O’Neill, and Neal Kelly, all of whom founded Thomond Asset Management. They are pictured with Dermot Gaskin, financial advisory managing director, Howden | .

Howden to establish presence in Limerick after acquisition

INTERNATIONAL insurance group Howden has acquired city centre based financial firm Thomond Asset Management in a major deal.

It means Howden, an international insurance broker and risk advisory firm, will have a presence in Limerick for the first time.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Based in O’Connell Street, Thomond Asset Management was founded by Tom Fitzgerald, Neal Kelly and David O’Neill.

It provides advice on financial planning for individuals and business owners, pensions, investments, and estate planning.

Through the acquisition, Thomond’s team of nine staff will join Howden.

Dermot Gaskin, financial advisory managing director at Howden said: “Thomond Asset Management has built a strong wealth management business in Limerick, with values that closely align to our own. Thomond’s focus on long-term client relationships, built on trust and openness, mirrors our commitment to putting clients at the centre of everything we do. This acquisition will offer their clients an even wider range of services, while ensuring they continue to access expert advice close to where they are based. I’m delighted to welcome Tom, Neal, David and the wider team to Howden.”

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In a joint statement, co-founders of Thomond Asset Management Mr Fitzgerald, Mr O’Neill and Mr Kelly added: “We’re excited to join Howden as its first financial advisory acquisition in Limerick city. This partnership means our clients will benefit from greater resources and broader expertise, but with the same personal service they value today. We look forward to continuing to support our clients across all aspects of their financial planning and insurance needs.”

Headquartered in London, Howden was founded in 1994 by David Howden and two colleagues.

It’s not the first acquisition the company has made this year in Ireland.

Back in April, it purchased Galway firm Maven Financial Planning, following this up with Dublin-based advisory Opes Wealth Trust.

Last year, the company opened a new division, Howden Financial Advisory.

Led by Mr Gaskin, its team now includes over 80 professionals supporting financial planning and advice needs of clients across Ireland.