IGG acquires agency like minds

Independent Governance Group (IGG), the UK’s leading provider of professional pensions trusteeship and governance services has acquired communications agency like minds.

like minds is a renowned creative communications agency which specialises in employee engagement, specifically in relation to pensions and benefits, as well as financial wellbeing, reward and branding. As a result, this acquisition will widen IGG’s offering to include the provision of similar services for both schemes and employers. The acquisition will also enable like minds to reach more members and employees with high quality, engaging communications that empower people to make decisions about their financial futures.

Directors and founders Nick and Moira Throp will be taking a step back from the business they established. Current Managing Director Judith Groves will lead the company and join the IGG team as a Director, bringing 30 years of experience in communicating pensions, benefits and rewards. The like minds team will continue to operate as a distinct business and brand in the wider IGG portfolio.

This acquisition is the latest part of IGG’s growth in 2023. In February, Ross Trustees and Independent Trustee Services merged to create IGG, the leading provider of trusteeship in the UK. In February, IGG acquired Clarity Trustees, with Clarity founder Karein Davie joining IGG, bringing over 20 years’ experience built with firms such as PwC, Hymans Robertson and Mercer.

Andrew Bradshaw, CEO of IGG, commented:

“Pensions can be complex. Members and employees alike can find the topic daunting, so good communication is critical to any well-run scheme. This is why we are so excited to welcome the like minds team to the IGG portfolio. Our core values at IGG include Prioritising People and Driving Innovation – and these values are shared by the like minds team who have an excellent track record in providing exceptional client service and human centred communication underpinned by creativity.”

Nick and Moira Throp, Directors and co-founders of like minds, commented:

“We built like minds with a strong commitment to delivering the best informed and most creative work across employee engagement, benefits and pensions.

“In IGG, we are confident that we have found a partner that recognises the need for strong communications to empower employees and members to make better decisions about their financial future. We are delighted that like minds will be joining the IGG portfolio and have every confidence that the business will continue to thrive.”

Judith Groves, Managing Director of like minds, added:

“More than ever, people want to be supported and empowered around their money and their work. I’m really excited to be leading like minds into the future as it becomes part of IGG. Working with IGG is a unique opportunity to accelerate our strategy to bring our creativity, expertise and Money Minded™ to a much larger population of employees and members, and to grow our already brilliant team. We’re delighted to be partnering with the IGG team and looking forward to building on what makes like minds so special and unique to our clients as a creative agency.”

Phil Hinson, Investment Director at LDC, added:

“Adding like minds to the group will enable IGG to further expand its services at a critical time for the industry. Pension schemes are contending with complex economic conditions, making clear, accessible communications with employees and scheme members more important than ever.

“We’re looking forward to supporting Andrew, Jude and the entire IGG and like minds team to succeed on the back of the acquisition, in what has already been a stellar year for the business.”