Howden, headquartered in London, describes itself as the largest transaction liability broker outside the United States. By integrating Atlantic Global Risk’s U.S. franchise with Howden’s international platform, the combined operation aims to position itself as a global leader in transaction liability services, offering broader geographic reach and an expanded range of products.
Management Continuity and Ownership Structure
Atlantic Global Risk’s founding partners, including David Haigh, will remain with the merged organization and become shareholders in Howden. Maintaining senior leadership continuity is intended to preserve existing client relationships while leveraging Howden’s global network. According to both companies, the integration will enable clients to access additional specialists in multiple jurisdictions and benefit from a more comprehensive suite of coverage solutions.
Strategic Context of the Deal
The acquisition underscores Howden’s strategy to scale its retail broking presence in the United States, a market that continues to generate robust demand for transactional risk products. A recent Reuters analysis highlighted the growing role of representations and warranties insurance in facilitating mergers and acquisitions, particularly among private equity buyers seeking to mitigate post-closing exposures. By strengthening its U.S. capabilities, Howden aims to capture a larger share of this expanding segment.
David Howden, the company’s chief executive and founder, said the combination of Howden’s international expertise with Atlantic Global Risk’s domestic strength will create “a global powerhouse” capable of supporting leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies. He noted that the transaction represents a “cornerstone acquisition” for the group’s North American ambitions.
Atlantic Global Risk’s David Haigh called the agreement a union of two client-centric organizations with complementary cultures and collaborative approaches. He emphasized that the merged entity will offer clients access to a wider range of products and an expanded geographic footprint.
Recent Expansion Activity
The Atlantic Global Risk deal follows Howden’s purchase of Gravitas Insurance Agency in September 2025. Gravitas is a U.S. retail broker focused on contingency coverage for music, sports and live events. With the addition of Atlantic Global Risk, Howden continues to build a diversified portfolio of specialized U.S. brokerage operations aimed at sectors with complex or emerging risk profiles.
Market Implications
Transaction liability insurance has become a standard component in private equity deals, initial public offerings and corporate carve-outs. Brokers in this segment provide bespoke coverage that protects buyers and sellers against breaches of warranties, unforeseen tax liabilities and other contingent risks that could emerge after a deal closes. By enhancing its presence in the United States, Howden is positioning itself to participate more actively in the steady flow of mid-market and large-cap transactions across North America.
Industry observers note that consolidation among specialist brokers reflects the high growth potential in transaction liability lines. Larger intermediaries are seeking to build scale and geographic breadth to meet client demand for uniform service across multiple jurisdictions. Howden’s move to combine its established international platform with Atlantic Global Risk’s U.S. footprint aligns with this consolidation trend.
Next Steps
Both companies will work toward satisfying regulatory and closing conditions over the coming months. Integration planning has begun and will focus on aligning service offerings, technology platforms and client-facing teams. Upon completion, the merged operation intends to market a unified suite of transaction liability and related products under the Howden brand, while retaining Atlantic Global Risk’s specialized expertise within dedicated practice groups.
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