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Axa confirms rumours with Smart and Cook acquisition

One of the worst-kept secrets in the industry has been confirmed, following Axa's announcement that ...

One of the worst-kept secrets in the industry has been confirmed, following Axa's announcement that it has acquired large regional broker Smart and Cook.

The deal, believed to be in the region of £150m, sees the Harrogate-based consolidator join recent additions to the Axa broker stable, Stuart Alexander and Layton Blackham. All three businesses will be housed under Venture Preference (VPL), where the chief executive of Smart and Cook, Layton Blackham and Stuart Alexander - Paul Meehan, Chris

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