LifeWorks has acquired Dutch employee health and wellbeing psychological services provider Ascender.
Ascender provides psychological services related to health at work, employee assistance programmes, counselling, and training through its team of psychologists.
Following the deal, Ascender’s team of 38 employees and around 40 freelancers will join LifeWorks and continue to operate out of its 25 locations across the Netherlands.
As Ascender is integrated into its global operations, the provider will operate in the Netherlands on a largely standalone basis, serving clients throughout the Benelux region.
According to LifeWorks, the deal will enable it to continue to expand its total wellbeing solutions to domestic European markets, and harness existing relationships with insurance providers, hospitals and care companies as well as national and multinational organisations based in the Netherlands post-Brexit.
Philip Mullen, managing director of UK and Europe at LifeWorks, said: “Throughout the pandemic we have witnessed a huge appetite among multinationals and local companies to support the total wellbeing of employees that are now spread across the world.
“The acquisition of Ascender will not only strengthen our presence in this region, but in addition our hope is that the company’s insight on psychological wellbeing can further enhance our customer offering on a global level.”
Moniek Vossenaar, managing director at Ascender, said the takeover was an important step for the firm’s growth, the services it provides and the opportunities for employees.
“The companies have a shared goal to improve the total wellbeing of our clients’ employees, and shared values of long-term relationships, treating others the way we want to be treated, and being innovative and entrepreneurial,” said Vossenaar.
“We’re positive this acquisition will be beneficial to both companies and all parties involved.”