KWR has acted as advisor to the German HBC Group during its entry into the Austrian market.
In the third quarter of 2024, the group established both a holding company and an insurance broker based in Vienna, acquiring an extensive contract portfolio. Thus, the company's presence in the region of Austria, Germany and Switzerland is expanded further, which strengthens its position in the dynamic and growing German-speaking market.
The HBC Group is an association of highly qualified, owner-managed insurance brokers offering a broad range of solutions for a wide variety of customers, and developing customised solutions to their problems. The group employs around 200 people and is headquartered in Hamburg.
"We consider the Austrian market to be highly attractive and full of potential for long-term growth," says Gert Schlossmacher, Managing Director of the newly founded HBC Holding in Vienna, which he manages together with Dr Sebastian Friese, CFO of the HBC Group. The first step - a successful portfolio transfer - has been taken, with more to follow. A deep understanding of and extensive experience on the Austrian market and in the CEE region will form the basis for profitable growth in the coming years," adds Horst Anselm, Managing Director of HBC Versicherungsmakler GmbH.
The KWR team was led by attorney-at-law Raphael Valenta. Thomas Haberer and Armin Zarghami (both Corporate M&A) were also involved.
"I am very pleased to be able to accompany the HBC Group as they take this important step into a new market and to actively participate in the development of the group in Austria," says KWR attorney Raphael Valenta.
