Freshfields advises Specialist Risk Group and Warburg Pincus on strategic acquisition of Ecclesia Group’s Dutch and Belgian insurance brokerage businesses

Global law firm Freshfields is advising Specialist Risk Group (“SRG”) and Warburg Pincus on SRG’s agreement to acquire the Dutch and Belgian insurance brokerage businesses held by the Ecclesia Group. The Ecclesia Group is one of Germany’s largest insurance brokers and one of the leading insurance brokers in Europe. The acquisition will see seven businesses with a combined team of 700 across the two countries join SRG and mark a significant step in SRG’s continued international growth.

Freshfields’ role in advising SRG and Warburg Pincus on this acquisition follows on from its role advising Warburg Pincus on its acquisition of SRG in 2024.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. At closing, the Ecclesia Group will also invest in SRG alongside existing shareholders Warburg Pincus, Temasek and management shareholders.

The Freshfields team is being led by partner Patrick Ko, senior associate Alexander Ryan and associates Charis Chan and Patricia Kersys, together with partners James Smethurst on financial services regulatory matters, May Smith and Eelco van der Stok on tax matters, Holly Insley, Brechje Nollen and Satya Staes Polet on employment matters and Merit Olthoff on antitrust and foreign direct investment matters.