Gallagher buys consulting firm 

Gallagher has stepped up its UK acquisitions, purchasing employee engagement firm Gatehouse Consulting.

Gallagher snapped up the London-based strategic communications business which offers internal change management, employee engagement, employee benefits, recruiting, and training and development.

The Chicago-based broker spent nearly half a billion dollars buying UK consolidators Giles and Oval four years ago, but since then, has been relatively quiet, although it has made some employee benefits purchases - such as Surrey-based Orb Financial Services last year.

Gallagher was attracted to Gatehouse’s solid business credentials and the fact it can slot Gatehouse into its current communications consulting operations.

Chairman Pat Gallagher (pictured) said: ”Gatehouse Consulting is an outstanding firm that will provide a terrific complement to our existing communications consulting operations as well as tremendous cross-selling opportunities.”

Pat Gallagher last month said he was upbeat about his firm’s acquisitions pipeline, stressing there is fresh flow of bolt-ons the broking group can acquire.

Pat Gallagher also highlighed to analysts the strength of the UK business, with its impressive organic growth

He also praised his staff for their terrific work ethic, stressing how some Gallagher employees dealt superbly with catastrophe-hit clients despite their own communities being hit by the hurricanes.