Acquisitions - signed, sealed and delivered

While, in theory, an acquisition makes great economic sense, in reality cultural issues, 'skeletons in the closet' and systems integration failure can seriously undermine the desired outcome. Bob Screen offers some guidelines that can lead to realistic expectations and a positive outcome for both buyer and seller

Mergers and acquisitions are nothing new in the insurance sector, but there is probably more focus on the issue now than there has been at any time in the past. It is open to debate whether this is because of Financial Services Authority regulation and all that it entails, or perhaps due to the emergence of a number of national chains. However, one thing seems certain. Selling a business or buying another is something that most brokers will consider at some stage.

In a recent Professional Broking