Howden is laser-focused on growth with the acquisition of its third Advisory business this year, Chartered Financial Solutions Limited (CFS)

Dublin, 9 April 2025: It’s been an action-packed start to 2025 for Howden, which recently launched its Advisory services in Ireland. Under the leadership of Advisory Managing Director, Dermot Gaskin,  Howden has an appetite to ‘buy and build’ high-quality, reputable, life & pension, and financial advisory businesses across Ireland.

Today, Howden announces it has agreed terms to acquire Chartered Financial Solutions Limited (CFS), a large financial advisory firm established in 2005 and based in Ranelagh, Dublin. This acquisition is subject to CBI approval.

CFS specialises in empowering owner directors, senior executives and the self-employed to achieve their long-term financial outcomes. Led by Directors, Shane Brennan and Mark Haskins, this opportunity brings to Howden scalable growth, strong talent, a respected reputation, and an attractive SME client base. Clients will benefit from Howden’s general and commercial insurance expertise and product offerings, not only in Ireland but across its global group.

Dermot Gaskin, Managing Director of Advisory at Howden, says, “CFS is an attractive business for us led by two highly driven leaders with a fantastic reputation in the sector. They have experienced healthy organic growth to date, and the synergies between our two businesses in terms of ethics, values, and ambition illustrate that they are a perfect fit for us. I am excited to welcome Mark and Shane and their highly talented team to Howden. We look forward to a really exciting future together.”

Mark Haskins and Shane Brennan of CFS says; “Howden’s future in Ireland is very exciting and we’re delighted to join Dermot and the team to help deliver the ultimate vision of bringing world-class financial and insurance offerings to our clients. Having the ability to access additional services and more markets under one roof is extremely appealing for CFS as a business and for our clients across all types and sectors. Joining Howden is a very positive move for our employees and clients alike. We are delighted to be part of Howden’s ambitious growth plans. As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we would like to take a moment to remember our late founding director, Justin Prendergast, who was instrumental in shaping the company’s values and vision. Justin’s dedication, integrity, and friendship continue to inspire us.”

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Notes to Editors

ABOUT HOWDEN IRELAND 

Howden Ireland is part of Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, and has over 500 employees across 26 local offices advising clients on their commercial insurance, personal insurance, health insurance, life and pensions, and mortgage requirements.

About Howden

Howden is a global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994,
it provides insurance broking, reinsurance broking, and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from
individuals to the largest multinational companies. The group operates in 55 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 22,000 people and handling $45bn of premium on behalf of clients.

For more information, please visit www.howden.ie, and www.howdengroupholdings.com

For further information, please contact:

Howden Ireland Limited

Louise Gallagher, Head of Marketing, Howden Insurance (Ireland) Limited

E: [email protected]

P: 353 87 4545923

Carr Communications

Marie Lynch, Account Director

E: [email protected]

P: 353 87 973 0522