Watson Wyatt to Consolidate Dutch Branch

Consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide will fully acquire its alliance partner in the Netherlands, Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. A definitive agreement is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2007.

“The two firms have maintained a close relationship for many years,” said the announcement. “In 1999, the Netherlands office of Watson Wyatt merged with the leading Dutch actuarial consulting firm, Brans & Co., to create Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. Since then, Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. has operated as a separate partnership as part of Watson Wyatt Worldwide. The partnership currently has 180 associates located in five offices throughout the country – Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Nieuwegein, Purmerend and Rotterdam. Its 2006 revenues were approximately US$37 million (€28 million).”

“We are delighted to bring our long-term partner in the Netherlands fully into the Watson Wyatt fold,” stated President and CEO John Haley. “The Netherlands, with its well-funded pensions system, is a base for many multinational companies and a very important territory for the firm.”

“The decision to become fully integrated into Watson Wyatt represents a natural progression of our long alliance,” commented Jobert Koomans, managing partner of Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. “Our clients are growing ever more global. Integrating our resources and expertise within a single global firm will provide considerable benefits not only for our operations but, more importantly, for our clients.”

Babloo Ramamurthy, Watson Wyatt’s European manager, noted: “Integrating our Dutch partner further supports Watson Wyatt’s strong position in Europe for human capital and financial management consulting, and enhances the service we are able to provide to our clients.”

This branch of Watson Wyatt focuses on managing the cost and effectiveness of employee benefit programs and related activities. The firm will also continue to operate a separate Insurance & Financial Services consulting business in the Netherlands.