NETHERLANDS - Towers Watson Netherlands has acquired the advice bureau on pension communication Kool Baas & De Quelerij (KBDQ) in a bid to improve communication on pension and labour conditions.

On 1 July, KBDQ's seven communication professionals will join Towers Watson, which will see the capacity of its communication and change management double.

The deal, for which financial details were not disclosed, will make Towers Watson's Dutch branch its third-largest specialised communications consultancy, after the US and the UK.

André van Hooren, Talents & Rewards business leader at Towers Watson Netherlands, said: "With Alfred Kool and Celeste de Quelerij, we welcome two pioneers with authority in the pension industry. Their company has a wealth of expertise and experience, and a strong market position."

He added that many of Towers Watson's clients are also clients with KBDQ.

Kool said: "Labour conditions and change management offer enormous challenges that far exceed a comprehensible explanation of pension arrangements. I am convinced we can considerably widen our advice within the new combination.

"We hope to contribute to pension funds making communication one of the core goals of their policy."

Kool has implemented the communication of the €100bn healthcare scheme PFZW for more than 20 years.

At Towers Watson, he will focus on acquisition and relations, while De Quelerij will head up the practice of communication and change management.

KBDQ, which was established in 2008, specialises in communication on pension and labour conditions. It said it has carried out commissions for more than 30 pension funds, including all large pension providers, the representative organisations and several insurers.

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