Corporate and tax experts from the Bristol office of transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson have advised broking group Howden on its acquisition of Thornbury-based Medical Professional Risk Solutions, a specialist insurance broker for the primary care sector.
The acquisition expands London-based Howden’s health & care division as it continues to invest in specialisms to support clients. 
MPRS provides accident & health, professional liability, medical malpractice, and commercial combined cover for general practice, private practice and GP federations.
Founded in 2014 by James Dunsby and Chesney Phelps, it now has 1,500-plus clients across a wide range of medical professionals and healthcare organisations,
The Bristol-based Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) team advising Howden on the deal was led by partner Tom Fitzpatrick and managing associates Alex Fergus and Ronan Lowney, who provided key corporate and tax advice.
Tom Fitzpatrick, pictured, said: “We are delighted to have completed our first deal for Howden, an exciting new client in the insurance sector, where WBD has been increasingly active over the past five to six years.” 
Howden Legal Counsel Chris Keville added: “This is an important strategic acquisition for the business, and we enjoyed working with WBD who provided excellent support throughout the process.”
WBD’s insurance sector team advises insurance industry leaders across a wide range of industry leading projects.
The firm has an established reputation for providing corporate, commercial, regulatory and claims management advice to high-profile clients in the sector, including AIG, Allianz, AmTrust, Arch, Beazley, Howden and Liberty.
WBD’s Bristol base is the second largest of the firm’s seven UK offices and employs more than 230 people. The firm also has 19 offices across the US.
Howden was established in 1994 and employs more than 6,500 people worldwide. Last month it was appointed as Bristol Law Society’s long-term professional indemnity insurance (PII) sponsor.
