Consolidation
Analysis: Fortune favours the bold – Is 2025 a ‘golden opportunity’ to join the M&A bandwagon?
With deals at an all-time high – but shrinking in size – and with the established consolidators becoming more picky, could 2025 be the perfect time for smaller brokers to start buying? Jonathan Swift mulls the hypothesis.
MarshBerry: Labour CGT change sees 2024 hit deal record after 41 buys in Q4
The final three months of 2024 saw the second highest number of quarterly broker deals, according to the latest M&A market update from MarshBerry.
Brown & Brown Europe reveals final deal of 2024 with Hampshire broker buy
Brown & Brown Europe rounded off 2024 with a swoop for Hampshire-headquartered Addingstone Insurance Solutions, Insurance Age can reveal.
Analysis: As we enter 2025 let’s ask one big question: ‘What will Marsh do next?’
Gallagher, Aon, Ardonagh and Howden have all had a busy 12 months in terms of consolidating their positions within the UK’s top five insurance brokers table. Their fellow intermediary powerhouse Marsh, however, has been comparatively quiet. Jonathan…
SRG details acquisition spend in run-up to PE deal
Specialist Risk Investments, bought by Warburg Pincus and Temasek last year, spent over £65m on deals in 2023 and has detailed subsequent outlays.
JMG purchase costs drop to £19.6m in 2023/24
JMG Group spent £19.63m on acquisitions in the year ending 31 March 2024, settling the bulk of the bill in cash.
Jensten deal spend £119m in 2023/24
Jensten spent £119.35m on acquisitions in the year ended 31 March 2024, adding to investments of £73.3m and £36.2m in the previous two years.
Aon completes Griffiths & Armour buy
Global giant Aon completed the takeover of Top 40 UK insurance broker Griffiths & Armour on 1 January.
Direct Line accepts Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover offer
Direct Line has accepted Aviva’s improved offer to takeover the company this morning in a deal one analyst has described as a "bold move that could turn out to be a gift that keeps on giving".
BMS completes David Roberts & Partners buy
BMS Group has finalised the acquisition of David Roberts & Partners, after it was announced in earlier this year.
Review of the Year 2024: Acrisure UK’s Mark McIlquham
Mark McIlquham, CEO of Acrisure UK, expresses disappointment at high-quality independent intermediaries selling to consolidators; still thinks a big insurer might snap up a broker; and reckons his children would take delight in watching him take part in…
Financial Affairs buys Owen & Ewing
Burnley-based Financial Affairs has completed its fourth acquisition purchasing Owen & Ewing Insurance Brokers.
SRG buys broker R3
Specialist Risk Group has bought specialist insurance broker, R3, its eleventh acquisition of the year.
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.
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.
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…
Review of the Year 2024: iprism’s Ian Lloyd
Ian Lloyd, CEO of iprism, reflects on integrating the MGA’s first acquisition, the over-use of the term AI and how he might shake the curse of ‘dad dancing’ by appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Partners& in triple swoop
Partners& has added another two brokers and a managing general agent to its stable, Insurance Age can reveal.