High Five Health Promotion, the corporate wellbeing specialist based in the Netherlands, has acquired ECW (European Corporate Wellbeing) in the UK.

The deal was completed on 19 June and the 10 sites will continue to operate under the ECW banner for the immediate future. Neil Gillespie – already at ECW – remains onboard with the company, with the management team further bolstered by the appointment of David Brame, former owner and MD of corporate wellness provider Bladerunner before it was sold to Nuffield in November 2010.

Paul Kienstra, CEO of High Five, says he believes the UK market holds great potential: "It's a huge market and, at the moment, there are very few players. I believe Nuffield is doing a great job – I respect them highly – but at the same time I feel more competition is good for the market and good for customers, as it means more choice.

"Now we have a footprint in the UK, and with the backing of the parent company in the Netherlands, I believe there is potential for strong growth over the next five to 10 years."

In addition to the 10 UK sites, High Five manages around 45 sites in the Netherlands and one in Germany, with plans to grow organically in both Germany and the UK. The company is also in the process of tendering for its first site in Belgium.