Aston Lark
Founded in 1994, there are two UK regulated businesses currently under the Howden brand; Howden Insurance Brokers Limited and Howden Reinsurance Brokers Limited. The businesses of A-Plan Insurance and Aston Lark are recent additions to Howden and underline its commitment to its domestic market. These businesses now place over £6bn a year on behalf of more than 1.7 million clients, who are served by over 5,000 colleagues in 160 locations across the UK and Ireland.
Aston Lark features in the Insurance Age Top 75 UK Brokers listing, and the Insurance Age Top 100 Insurance Brokers 2021 listing. Find out what other companies made the cut.
Aston Lark buys Phoenix Healthcare
Phoenix specialises in corporate healthcare provision and is Aston Lark’s second deal in 2022.
Aston Lark makes first deal of 2022
Consolidator buys Mainstay Insurance, a commercial broker headquartered in Hove.
Brokers hit out at "antiquated" attitude to cover for sex industry clients
Analysis: Insurance specialists say a change of mindset is needed as brokers struggle to find cover for legitimate businesses in the sex industry as a result of prudish insurers viewing them as a 'moral hazard'.
The stats: December 2021 – The Acturis Premium Index
The third quarter of the year saw rising premiums in almost all of the product lines featured in the Acturis Commercial Broking Index – the only exception being a minor dip in fleet.
Aston Lark buys PMI book
The consolidator has added the client book of Choice Benefits to its portfolio.
Blog: When it’s too late, it’s too late
CII deputy president, Peter Blanc, calls on the market to respond to a consultation on ethics and reputation.
Howden buys boutique broker, Ross Insurance Group
The business, based in Surbiton, specialises in financial and construction risks.
Aston Lark acquires Philip Williams & Company
The Warrington broker, which provides insurance to Police Federations and other law enforcement agencies in the UK, is the second deal in a week for the consolidator.
Innovation Broking CEO lifts lid on sale
Paul Dickson tells Insurance Age about the sales process and discusses the future for Innovation Broking as part of Aston Lark.
Aston Lark buys Top 100 broker
Innovation Broking is the latest business to join Aston Lark's stable as CEO Paul Dickson is set to become chair of Aston Lark’s broking and benefits companies from early 2022.
Market Analysis: Broking consolidation from 2010 to today – how the top 100 has changed
Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift charts consolidation among the top 100 intermediaries from 2010 to today and reflects on the biggest winners in terms of M&A success
News Analysis - How is US money reshaping the UK market?
David Worsfold explores the power of the dollar in broking and examines the drivers behind US investment into the UK market.
News Analysis - “Everybody’s service is rubbish” – insurer service uncovered
Edward Murray explores why brokers are being left out in the cold when it comes to insurer service and asks what has driven the collapse in quality
Kelly Ogley takes A-Plan CEO role
The moves sees group CEO, Carl Shuker, remain to focus on the wider business which includes Endsleigh, Assured Futures and KGM.
News analysis: Consolidators put up 'for sale' signs
Following Howden’s acquisition of Aston Lark, Insurance Age reached out to M&A advisers and brokers to get some insight into the future for the current crop of consolidators.
Should brokers go down the employee ownership route?
Experts say employee ownership increases staff retention and encourages staff to work together, but take-up among brokers is low.
Aston Lark buys Bainbridge Collins in Birmingham
Consolidator says latest deal will enhance its mid-corporate capability in the West Midlands.
Aston Lark buys Absolute Products in 24th deal of the year
Latest acquisition comes after it was announced that Howden is to buy the consolidator, creating a £6bn GWP giant.
People moves: 18-22 October 2021
Keep up to date with the latest people moves.
Blanc aims to double Aston Lark business for Howden
Peter Blanc details opportunities for Aston Lark now it is off the private equity “rollercoaster” and part of another employee-owned broker.
Howden buys Aston Lark
The deal is Howden’s largest acquisition to date and creates a £6bn GWP UK business in “deal a decade in the making”.
In-depth – Niche markets: Getting to grips with the gig economy
The gig economy is growing fast and extends far beyond delivery and taxi services, which are often seen as the mainstays of this sector. Edward Murray investigates how the insurance industry is responding to new ways of working and what the opportunities…
Aston Lark buys in Birmingham
S Johnson & Company specialises in providing insurance for the music industry and the gun trade.
DNA Insurance confirms cyber incident
A number of phishing emails were sent from a staff member's account, and Ian Jacob, group chief risk officer of parent firm Aston Lark, says the breach was detected within minutes and no other accounts across the group were compromised.