Davies Group acquires FWD Training and Consultancy in UK

Insurance service provider Davies Group has made a new strategic acquisition amid rebrand and simplification of its wider consulting operations.

The company has acquired FWD Training and Consultancy (FWD), a provider of professional and apprenticeship training in the insurance and financial services sectors in the UK.

FWD will become part of a new learning solutions arm within Davies’ wider consulting & technology business, led by CEO Mark Grocott.

Under the deal and the new structure, FWD directors Austen Basleigh, Alison Bate and Marcus Bowsher, will continue to lead the new learning solutions business supported by the wider FWD team, with the learning solutions unit reporting directly to Grocott.

FWD marks Davies’ fourth acquisition of 2019 and follows Canadian investor AIMCo taking a minority stake in the business earlier in the year, alongside majority investor HGGC, to support the company's next phase of international expansion and digital transformation.

Dan Saulter, Davies Group CEO, said: “Having identified learning solutions as a strategic new capability for Davies, we were delighted that the FWD directors saw the excellent fit as we bring together the complementary strengths of FWD and Davies. Deepening and broadening our capability is an essential ingredient of our strategy to remain both relevant and valuable to our clients, and we look forward to being able to offer a deeper range of learning and management solutions to our more than 500 clients across our wider business.”

Marcus Bowsher, managing director, FWD added: “I am delighted FWD is becoming part of Davies as we plan our next phase of growth and development. Davies’ focus on client service, investment in technology and in disruptive thinking aligns strongly with the strategy & culture at FWD.”

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