Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
JMG expands into North Wales with Anchor buy
JMG Group company, Butterworth Spengler Insurance Brokers, has bought Anchor Insurance, growing its presence into North Wales.
Review of the Year 2024: Allianz Commercial’s Nick Hobbs
Allianz Commercial chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs is intrigued by Aviva’s Probitas deal, bemoans the continued presence of underinsurance and hopes that the term ‘insurer service’ is consigned to the clickbait dustbin.
Gallagher to cement UK broking top spot with £10.5bn AssuredPartners swoop
Broking giant Arthur J. Gallagher has signed a definitive agreement to acquire US rival AssuredPartners, it announced this morning.
Coles leads MBO of Ardonagh retail MGA Uris Group
Uris Group, the Ardonagh-owned specialist personal lines MGA and services provider, has been sold to a new vehicle backed by its leader Derek Coles, Insurance Age can reveal.
Aviva has hit ‘strategic jackpot’ with £3.6bn DLG deal agreement, claims analyst
An analyst at investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown has described Aviva’s £3.6bn bid as a “golden ticket” for Direct Line Group shareholders.
Aviva has Xmas deadline for DLG offer after both agree prospective £3.6bn deal
Aviva and Direct Line Group have jointly announced that they have reached preliminary agreement on the financial terms of a potential acquisition of the latter by the former.
Review of the year 2024: Brown & Brown’s Sime
Chris Sime, group markets director at Brown & Brown Europe, predicts a UK consolidator could get taken out by a US broker, wonders why buyers continue to pay multiples on unrealistic Ebitda projections and mulls what a Blanc/Winslow reunion might look…
Blackrock to buy Ardonagh-backer HPS in $12bn deal
Global investment management company Blackrock has signed up to buy long-standing Ardonagh backer HPS Investment Partners in a $12bn (£9.43bn) deal.
Roundtable: UK insurance broking – reshaping the future
As the post-Covid insurance-broking environment evolves, brokers are continuing to adapt to the new backdrop. A recent Insurance Age roundtable explored the challenges and opportunities, as brokers tackle today’s range of pressing objectives – and assess…
RSA targets writing to brokers in January on commission as NIG integration progresses
RSA will have harmonised its baseline commission tables by the end of this year, according to Laura Fox, distribution development director, in the latest integration webinar after the deal for NIG.
Review of the Year 2024: Hedron Network’s Duncan Pagan
Duncan Pagan, consultancy services director at Hedron, reflects on frown-inducing M&A; weighs up the tangible benefits-to-burden ratio when it comes to regulation; and would love to see the Hedron brand atop the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
AbbeyAutoline buys Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers
AbbeyAutoline has bought the customer book of business of fellow Northern Ireland firm Wallace Insurance Brokers in its third deal of the year.
Brown & Brown adds to PCG buying employee benefits specialists Drewberry
Brown & Brown Europe has bought Drewberry adding another employee benefits specialist to Premier Choice Group.
Analysis: Aviva’s bid for DLG – what are the pros and cons for UK insurance brokers
The industry was abuzz last week with the ramifications of Aviva’s £3.3bn bid for Direct Line Group. Jonathan Swift reflects on the weekend’s developments, and what the deal might mean for UK brokers should the possibility of a green light gain momentum…
Partners& in triple swoop
Partners& has added another two brokers and a managing general agent to its stable, Insurance Age can reveal.
Analysts point to 265p per share to sweeten Aviva-DLG deal
Experts from Peel Hunt have labelled Aviva’s 250p per share approach for Direct Line as a “reasonable offer” adding there is “scope to sweeten the bid to 260-265p”.
DLG rejects £3.3bn Aviva takeover offer
Aviva has revealed it has become the second insurer to publicly bid for Direct Line Group this year, with an offer worth £3.3bn.
Clegg Gifford to close offices due to Markerstudy duplications
Markerstudy is set to close some Clegg Gifford offices, but will maintain the branch footprint on the back of duplications following the Atlanta merger.
PE-backed US consolidator buys London-based MGA
Landmark Underwriting has been acquired by Bishop Street Underwriters, a US-based MGA consolidator and incubator backed by RedBird Capital Partners.
Mountifield promoted to Academy MD as Beaven steps down
Nick Mountifield has been promoted to managing director at Academy Insurance Services, as Richard Beaven has retired for health reasons.
JMG in quadruple deal swoop
JMG has snapped up four brokers, adding additional expertise in high-net-worth, commercial, motor trade, technical and specialist consultancy services to the Yorkshire-headquartered group, Insurance Age can reveal.