The Belgium-based arm of International insurance broker Howden has announced the acquisition of Sarton & Associés, the firm’s first acquisition since its launch in 2020.
Howden Belgium sees this deal as having reinforced the ambition to expand its retail operations across Belgium to service local and multinational clients.
The Sarton & Associés focuses on property, casualty and employee benefits insurances, adding to Howden Belgium’s existing specialty lines expertise for large corporates, mid-sized businesses and SMEs.
Located in Brussels, Sarton & Associés is expected to complement existing expertise, distribution and product range and allow for a more prominent presence in the country.
“I joined Howden because I was excited by its values and its empowered culture and knew it was a place where I could build a business and a team focussing on clients, expertise and added value,” said Herman Kerremans, CEO of Howden Belgium.
“With Sarton & Associés choosing to join us, our adventure now begins a new chapter. This transaction marks Howden Belgium’s first acquisition and reinforces our strategy to invest in expertise and develop specialist capabilities that deliver the best service to our clients.
“Paul has built an incredibly strong and hugely well-respected business especially in Brussels and the French speaking part of the country.
“This operation aligns two highly complementary companies with people and clients at its core.”As we continue our expansion plans in the region and pursue our ambitions to become the alternative broker of choice in Belgium, we intend to serve as the home of businesses precisely like Sarton & Associés that share our entrepreneurial, employee-owned spirit.”
Paul Sarton, founder of Sarton & Associés, added, “Howden was not the first company to approach us, but we chose to join them not only because of their international network, but also because of their independent and empowered culture.
“In Howden, we have found a place where people share our values, enabling us to continue to grow and focus on the client centricity, innovation and entrepreneurship for which Sarton & Associés has become known in the wider Brussels region. We look forward to being part of this fast growing company.”
