HOWDEN ACQUIRED ASSOCIATED BEAUTY THERAPISTS AND ASSOCIATED IRISH THERAPISTS

Howden has acquired two of the largest beauty‑sector membership and insurance providers in the UK and Ireland: Associated Beauty Therapists Ltd (ABT) and Associated Irish Therapists Ltd (AIT). This move strengthens Howden’s position in the growing health, wellbeing, and beauty insurance market.

ABT and AIT specialise in insurance broking for beauty and medical aesthetics professionals, offering coverage for medical malpractice, treatment risk, professional indemnity, public liability, and asset protection . With this acquisition, Howden’s Health & Care division is expected to almost double its client base, increasing it to over 40,000.

The businesses will be merged into Howden’s existing Allied Healthcare team, which already has a strong presence in the psychological therapy sector . This strategic addition brings deeper beauty industry expertise into Howden’s broader health and care platform, setting it up as a broker of choice across both beauty and healthcare markets.

David Horton, Founder and Managing Director of ABT and AIT, said the acquisition provides an exciting opportunity to extend Howden’s global capabilities and service more clients while aligning with a company whose culture matches their own.

Mark Westgarth, Managing Director of Howden Health & Care, noted that Howden’s longstanding reputation has helped attract top talent to serve this fast-growing sector. He highlighted that ABT and AIT’s beauty industry expertise complements Howden’s existing offering for psychological therapists and counsellors, positioning the combined team to excel in both sectors.

The acquisition reflects Howden’s broader strategy to build scale in key segments across the Health & Care market, leveraging new client opportunities, expanded product access, and global distribution capabilities.