Mercer announced today that it has acquired the Positive Ageing Company. Founded in 2012, the Positive Ageing Company is the UK’s leading independent advisor on issues surrounding the ageing workforce. The firm’s objective is to help employers and employees manage the financial, care and health impact of ageing.

The company’s AgeingWorks product is a digital health, wellbeing and eldercare platform. The platform provides employees with comprehensive information, support, tools and resources helping them deal with their own personal ageing issues and those of their loved ones.

“Mercer’s Ageing Workforce Research showed that 84% of companies know that they need to change how they respond to the challenges posed by an ageing workforce. However, there is still much inactivity – many firms are simply unsure how to take the first step,” said Fiona Dunsire, Mercer’s UK CEO and Market Leader.

“The Positive Ageing Company will support employers in taking that first step. The company is a true disruptive innovator providing employees with vital information on a wide range of topics and relaying information on employee needs back to the employer.

“Mercer is committed to helping companies advance the health, wealth and careers of their employees and the acquisition of the Positive Aging Company is another step in the expansion of our capabilities and our UK business growth. We are delighted to welcome them to the Mercer team.”

According to Mike and Chris Minett, co-founders of the Positive Ageing Company, “We are excited to be joining Mercer because we have a shared vision – to enable organisations, their employees and ultimately their families to age well.

“Having engaged with over 200 of the UK’s largest employers, it is clear that, for the vast majority, the impact of our ageing demographics on their business is still not clear. Many organisations do not yet fully realise the significant impact that our ageing society is having on their workforce, their customers and their bottom line or more importantly the opportunities to be realised.”

According to Tony Wood, Partner and UK Head of Mercer Marsh Benefits, “It is estimated that one in three of the UK workforce will be over the age of 50 by 2020 and one in every 9 workers will be a carer, so the personal and business impact of ageing and caring for an increasingly elderly population will continue to grow.  This acquisition and the knowledge that it brings to Mercer will be invaluable for our clients.”

Chris and Mike Minett will report into Tony Wood. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

See also: Why you should be recruiting older people