The corporate finance team at Smith & Williamson has advised the owners of Bristol-based pensions and employee benefits communications firm Concert Consulting on its disposal to Buck, the integrated HR and benefits consulting, technology and administration services firm.

Founded in 2004, Concert’s in-depth experience developing creative communication strategies through employee research, copywriting, and graphic design for both print and digital media helps employers and trustees better engage with their employees and members. Its blue-chip client base comprises more than three million employees and plan members.

Based in New York, with global operations, Buck is focused on helping its clients realise the best organisational performance for their business while driving positive health, wealth and career outcomes for their employees. 

Through the addition of Concert, Buck will significantly expand its ability to develop and implement tailored engagement strategies for its UK-based and multinational clients, particularly in the high-demand area of pensions administration. Clients will directly benefit from personalised communications, and employees and members will have technology-enabled, user-centric ways of interacting with their benefits.

The Smith & Williamson corporate finance team which worked on the deal was led by Martyn Fraser and Ronan Brophy.

Peter Walsh, founder of Concert, said: “In Smith & Williamson we found a partner who shares the principles which are crucial to our own client relationships. The team delivered impartial, clear advice throughout the project and we developed a fantastic working relationship. Their guidance proved to be the defining factor in delivering this successful outcome and I would not hesitate to recommend them.”

Martyn Fraser said: “Concert is an outstanding business with a market leading reputation for innovation in the way employers and trustees communicate with their employees and members. It was no surprise that the business attracted interest from a global buyer pool but in Buck it has found a strategic partner to help bring its cutting-edge solutions to an even broader client base.”

Legal advice to Concert was provided by Simon Hore of Thrings.