Howden Ireland has announced the acquisition of Opes Private Clients Limited, a Dublin-based financial services company known for its work in financial, retirement, and investment planning. The deal is intended to enhance Howden Ireland’s Financial Advisory division by adding deeper specialist knowledge and expanding the breadth of services available to clients.
Founded by Cathal McCabe, Opes Wealth Trust has built its reputation by advising self-employed individuals, business owners, and private clients on long-term financial planning. With this transaction, the experienced Opes team will join Howden Ireland, supporting the firm’s continued growth and strengthening its presence in the Irish advisory market.
Leadership highlights strategic fit
Dermot Gaskin, Managing Director of Financial Advisory at Howden Ireland, said the Dublin firm is a highly established business whose services closely match Howden’s ambition to develop a scaled and market-leading Financial Advisory platform in Ireland. He also noted that the expertise, values, and long-standing client relationships of the Opes Wealth Trust team closely reflect Howden Ireland’s own customer-focused approach.
“Opes Wealth Trust is an exceptionally well-established business in Dublin, offering services that align with and strengthen our goal to create a scaled, market-leading Financial Advisory platform in Ireland,” Gaskin said. “We are delighted to welcome Cathal and the Opes Wealth Trust team to Howden.”
Shared values and broader capabilities
Cathal McCabe described the move as an important step for both clients and employees, saying the partnership brings together common values, strong experience, and complementary expertise. He added that the combination of expanded resources and broader capabilities will help maintain the trusted advice and high level of service clients have come to expect.
The acquisition also follows Howden Ireland’s purchase of Maven Financial Planning in April 2026, reflecting a wider strategy to grow its Financial Advisory capabilities. Established last year under the leadership of Dermot Gaskin, the firm’s advisory team now includes more than 80 professionals supporting insurance and financial advisory needs for a significant client base throughout Ireland.
The transaction remains subject to approval from the Central Bank of Ireland.
