Howden has agreed to acquire Atlantic Global Risk, a fast-growing US transaction liability brokerage, in a deal the London-based broker says will create one of the largest global players in the transactional risk segment.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary approvals. Terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, Atlantic Group has expanded rapidly to become one of the top five brokers in North America focused on transaction liability. Its 110-plus specialists place representations and warranties, tax liability, contingent risk and credit risk coverage for clients across the US, Canada, and Latin America.
For Howden, the acquisition marks another step in the build-out of its US retail platform, which has added hundreds of industry professionals in recent months across multiple practices and locations.
The broker already holds a leading position in transactional liability outside the US; combining with Atlantic gives it scale in the world’s busiest M&A market.
“This is a cornerstone acquisition for Howden in the US,” said David Howden, founder and CEO. “By combining our international transactional liability leadership with Atlantic Group’s deep US expertise, we are creating a global powerhouse.”
Under the deal, Atlantic’s founders will take key leadership roles in Howden’s US retail and global transactional liability strategies and will become shareholders in the group. Both sides cited the move as evidence of cultural alignment and shared growth ambitions.
Mike Parrish, CEO of Howden US, called the partnership “transformative,” pointing to the importance of transactional liability insurance in facilitating large-scale M&A. “We’re uniting the largest transactional liability broker outside the US with the preeminent team in the global epicenter of M&A and private equity,” he said.
Atlantic founding partner David Haigh said the combination will give clients broader product access and greater geographic reach while maintaining the firm’s client-first approach. “Our clients will now benefit from a broader offering and access to many more like-minded experts,” he said.
Atlantic operates from 11 offices across the US and Canada and employs professionals with backgrounds in M&A law, litigation, tax and structured finance.
Howden manages approximately US$50 billion (£37 billion) in premiums globally and employs more than 23,000 people across 56 countries. Its US operations now span retail broking, wholesale, reinsurance through Howden Re, and underwriting via DUAL.
Board approvals for the Atlantic Group transaction have been secured. Barclays advised Howden on the deal, while Piper Sandler advised Atlantic Group.
