Aon Exploring Sale of Wealthspire Advisors, Taps UBS as Advisor

Aon is considering the sale of Wealthspire Advisors, a $31B wealth manager it acquired through its 2024 transaction for NFP. Aon has tapped UBS as its financial advisor for the sale process. The potential sale is part of Aon's efforts to focus on its core businesses and reduce its portfolio of non-core assets.

Global insurance, consulting, and professional services company Aon is exploring the sale of Wealthspire Advisors, a $31 billion wealth management firm it acquired through its 2024 deal for insurance brokerage NFP. According to sources familiar with the situation, Aon has retained UBS as its financial advisor for the sale process [1][2].

The potential sale of Wealthspire Advisors is part of Aon's broader strategy to focus on its core businesses and reduce its portfolio of non-core assets. Aon's spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter, while a Wealthspire Advisors spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment by press time. A UBS spokeswoman also declined to comment.

The exploration of this sale comes at a time when Aon is looking to optimize its financial position and align its assets with its strategic goals. The company has been undergoing significant changes, including the integration of NFP, which was acquired in 2024. The integration process has been ongoing, and Aon has been focusing on expanding its margins and driving new business growth [2].

Occidental, another company that has been actively divesting assets, has recently announced four divestitures generating $950 million for debt reduction and repaying $7.5 billion since July 2024 [3]. This strategy of divesting non-core assets to reduce debt and focus on core competencies is similar to the approach Aon is considering with Wealthspire Advisors.

While the exact details of Aon's plans for Wealthspire Advisors remain uncertain, the move to explore a sale underscores the company's commitment to streamlining its operations and enhancing shareholder value. As the integration of NFP continues, Aon is likely to reassess its portfolio to ensure it aligns with its long-term strategic objectives.

References:
[1] https://citywire.com/pro-buyer/news/aon-exploring-sale-of-31bn-wealthspire-advisors-sources/a2471705
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4481609-aon-exploring-sale-of-wealthspire-advisors-report
[3] https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Occidental+Announces+%24950+Million+in+Divestitures+for+Debt+Reduction+Efforts