Aon has completed its $13 billion acquisition of NFP sooner than expected, the company announced April 25.
The early close of the blockbuster deal, first announced back in December 2023, contributes to accretion and free cash flow benefit realization a year earlier than modeled.
Aon purchased NFP, a leading middle market property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement plan advisor, from funds affiliated with NFP’s main capital sponsor, Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), and funds affiliated with HPS Investment Partners for an enterprise value of $13 billion, including $7.0 billion cash and assumed liabilities as well as $6.0 billion in equity in the form of 19 million Aon shares.
“It is a historic day for our firm as we welcome NFP to Aon and work together to help clients address increasing volatility across risk and people issues,” said Greg Case, CEO of Aon. “With high performing teams and leading content and capability—further enabled by our Aon Business Services operating platform—we will create more value for our clients, while also enhancing long-term shareholder value creation for investors. This acquisition is another example of how we are going further, faster with our 3×3 Plan to accelerate our Aon United strategy and further enhance our relevance to clients.”
The acquisition of NFP expands Aon’s presence in the large and fast-growing middle-market segment, with more than 7,700 colleagues and capabilities across property and casualty brokerage, benefits consulting, wealth management and retirement plan advisory. As an Aon company, NFP will operate as an “independent and connected” platform delivering Risk Capital and Human Capital capabilities from across Aon and will continue to be led by NFP CEO Doug Hammond, reporting into Aon President Eric Andersen.
“Aon’s diverse resources and global reach enhance our ability to serve the dynamic risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement needs of our clients.”
NFP CEO Doug Hammond
“The idea of being ‘independent and connected’ is key to how we will collaborate and create more options for clients across our Risk Capital and Human Capital capabilities,” said Andersen. “Doug and his team have built an exceptional client-centered business and we are focused on using our Aon Business Services platform to scale delivery of new capabilities to small and middle market clients across Aon and NFP.”
NFP, which was founded in 1999, sees Aon as an ideal partner for growth and serving the dynamic needs of clients.
“With Aon’s acquisition of NFP now complete, we are starting an exciting new chapter in our company’s history,” Hammond said. “We look forward to the positive impact that our complementary expertise and capabilities will have on all stakeholders. Aon’s diverse resources and global reach enhance our ability to serve the dynamic risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement needs of our clients. We remain focused on both advancing a culture colleagues want to be part of and working together to contribute to our collective growth and success.”
UBS Investment Bank served as the exclusive financial advisor to Aon on the transaction. Citi served as a financial advisor and is advising Aon on the transaction financing. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and McDermott Will & Emery LLP acted as external legal counsel to Aon. Evercore acted as lead financial advisor with support from Barclays, BofA Securities, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Jefferies LLC and TD Securities to NFP. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP acted as external legal counsel to NFP, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as external legal counsel to NFP’s capital sponsors.
SEE ALSO:
• $13.4 Billion Big Deal: Aon Acquires NFP
• Aon PEP Tops $2 Billion Plateau
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
