Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan, has announced the acquisition of Cardano, a leading independent long-term savings specialist in the UK and Netherlands, enhancing its capabilities in pension management solutions.

Target Information

On June 11th, Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan, announced its acquisition of Cardano, a prominent independent long-term savings specialist operating in the UK and the Netherlands. Established in 2000, Cardano manages approximately $66 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023. The firm provides a diverse array of services, including fiduciary management, investment advisory, liability-driven investing, and derivatives solutions tailored to both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes.

Cardano distinguishes itself through a unique business model that integrates direct investment capabilities with external manager selection, backed by extensive pension expertise and a commitment to sustainability. Furthermore, through its NOW: Pensions platform, Cardano operates the third-largest master trust framework in the UK, serving over two million savers linked to approximately 27,000 employers. This positions Cardano favorably within the rapidly expanding auto-enrolment market.

Industry Overview

The UK and Netherlands are recognized for their robust structured pension systems, reflecting a significant evolution in the industry over the past two decades. The demand for effective retirement planning has intensified amid increasi