Davies today announces the acquisition of FWD Training and Consultancy Limited (“FWD”).  FWD is a leading provider of professional and apprenticeship training in the Insurance and Financial Services sectors in the UK. Based in Kent, FWD delivers professional learning and development programmes, for leading national and global businesses, helping them develop and retain their professional talent. 

FWD will become part of a new Learning Solutions arm within Davies’ wider Consulting & Technology offering.  Formerly Davies Customer Solutions, the simplified Consulting & Technology business, led by CEO Mark Grocott, offers deep domain expertise across: Consulting, Resourcing, Technology, and now Learning Solutions, as Davies seeks to embed itself as the go to partner for its 500+ insurance, financial services and highly regulated clients.

Under the deal and the new structure, FWD Directors Austen Basleigh, Alison Bate and Marcus Bowsher, will continue to lead the new Learning Solutions business supported by the wider FWD team, with the Learning Solutions unit reporting directly to Mark Grocott. 

Following the acquisition Davies’ global team numbers more than 2,000 professionals across its Claims Solutions, Insurance Services and Consulting & Technology businesses, with the latter now boasting 250 colleagues and delivering projects, digital solutions, and outsourcing programmes across customer experience (“CX”), user experience (“UX”), regulatory compliance & risk, human capital, and learning solutions. 

FWD marks Davies’ fourth acquisition of 2019 and follows Canadian investor AIMCo taking a minority stake in the business earlier in the year, alongside majority investor HGGC, to support Davies’ next phase of international expansion and continued digital transformation.  Across its global operations, Davies partners with more than 500 insurance, highly regulated and global businesses from its operating bases in the UK, Ireland, Bermuda, the US and Canada. 

Dan Saulter, Davies Group CEO commented: “Having identified learning solutions as a strategic new capability for Davies, we were delighted that the FWD directors saw the excellent fit as we bring together the complementary strengths of FWD and Davies. Deepening and broadening our capability is an essential ingredient of our strategy to remain both relevant and valuable to our clients, and we look forward to being able to offer a deeper range of learning and management solutions to our more than 500 clients across our wider business.” 

Marcus Bowsher, Managing Director, FWD added: “I am delighted FWD is becoming part of Davies as we plan our next phase of growth and development. Davies’ focus on client service, investment in technology and in disruptive thinking aligns strongly with the strategy & culture at FWD.”  

Alison Bate, FWD Quality & Delivery Director added: “Davies’ culture of supporting, developing & empowering its staff, together with its single minded focus on quality solutions demonstrates its strong alignment with FWD values”.