Taylor and Lopian - Independent thinking

Andrew Tjaardstra meets Simon Taylor and Danny Lopian, the partners behind one of the few remaining Manchester brokers that is determined to grow independently rather than sell

After years of abstinence, Manchester has become a playground for the broker consolidators over recent months; Manson sold to Jelf, Chambers and Newman to Axa-owned Venture Preference, Greystone to Bollington and, last October, Cobra Holdings bought construction specialist UK and Ireland. Meanwhile, the CBG Group has grown into one of the largest brokers in the area after completing a flurry of acquisitions, although not all in Manchester.

This activity has forced the hand of the independents