GERMANY – Consultant, Hewitt Associates, is strengthening its services in the German market.

Hewitt announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with German actuarial services firm, Gassner & Partner. Through the alliance the two firms will provide global retirement and financial management services to companies based in Germany.

Under the agreement, Hewitt and Gassner will work together to offer targeted clients a single source for all their global actuarial and risk management services needs,

Commenting on the alliance, Hans-Dieter Oberer of Gassner & Partner said: “Hewitt’s global expertise and capabilities enable us to offer clients a unique combination of local experience and international knowledge.”

Piotr Bednarczuk, Hewitt’s market manager for Germany commented on the synergy of the two companies, and highlighted the importance of local knowledge and presence/ “With the new decision from ratings agencies, it’s more important than ever to offer clients creative local solutions as well as international benefit programmes.”

Earlier this year, consultants Mercer also stepped up its focus in Germany, by launching a new investment consulting practice in Frankfurt.