Consolidators
CMA launches official inquiry into Ardonagh’s Bennetts deal
The regulatory body must make a decision on whether to refer the merger for further investigation by 16 September this year.
PIB spent £75.6m on deals in 2019
CFO Ryan Brown says the consolidator has a "very healthy pipeline" of future acquisitions, as PIB's GWP hits £986m.
Ardonagh completes £2bn debt raise and deals for Bravo Group and Arachas
The move, announced in June, brings Broker Network back into the fold as Ardonagh confirms £300m war chest to fund future deals.
Covid-19 to boost broker M&A
David Hopwood, of Marsh Networks, predicts the pace of M&A will increase as the UK moves out of lockdown.
WTW calls shareholder meeting on Aon deal
A meeting of Willis Tower Watson shareholders has been called as US Department of Justice calls for more information on the £22.9bn merger.
Miles Smith-owner SRG buys Insolvency Risk Services
The company purchased the administration specialist from MS Amlin as SRG teases further strategic partnerships.
GRP moves into health insurance sector with new deal
Towcester-based broker Premier Choice Healthcare becomes consolidator's healthcare hub.
Ardonagh moves forward with refinancing
The $500m ‘payment-in-kind’ toggle notes have been priced as the business progresses with £1.9bn refinancing which includes a $300m war chest.
Praise for Ardonagh’s Broker Network move but Fitch downgrades
News Analysis: Experts say the deal to buy Bravo Group and Irish business Arachas signals how far the company has come since David Ross took the helm at flailing Towergate in 2015.
Ardonagh buys Broker Network-owner Bravo Group
The consolidator announces $500m notes offering and flags £1.6bn equity valuation as it brings the network, along with Ethos Broking and Compass, back into the fold.
Jensten Group-funder makes Ireland move
Livingbridge has taken a stake in independent personal lines broker Chill Insurance.
Insurance Covid-Cast episode 12: Newsmaker special with Partners& CEO Phil Barton and chair Stuart Reid
In the latest Insurance Post and Insurance Age video cast brought to you while our journalists are working from home, we present the latest in a series of newsmaker specials focusing on the people behind the lockdown headlines.
Covid-19: Broker M&A numbers predicted to drop
But the consolidators say their models have not changed as a result of the coronavirus.
Blog: When is a consolidator, not a consolidator? The question Barton, Jelf and Reid’s Partners& hopes to answer
This week saw the launch of new broking business Partners&, bringing together a quintet of players to form a business which is positioning itself as distinctly anti-consolidator. Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift looks at what this means; and…
Partners& shoots into Top 100 with £65m GWP
Phil Barton, alongside Stuart Reid and Chris Jelf, has formed the broker from MRIB and Independents, La Playa, CGI and Versatile, with initial £25m investment from Capital Z.
GRP-owned Sagars buys Preston broker
Anderson Ashcroft has been bought for an undisclosed sum.
Miles Smith owner SRG planning several more deals this year
Exclusive: Group CEO Warren Downey, who joined from JLT last year, outlined the firm's M&A plans.
Ardonagh eyes international growth
David Ross reveals expansion hopes and confirms more M&A targets in the UK.
Bruce Stevenson commits to independence amid M&A interest
CEO Edward Bruce said consolidator interest in the Scottish broker was increasing as it posted ‘record’ turnover for 2019.
News analysis: Focus on smaller brokers heats up the M&A market
Consolidators have shifted to concentrate on the smaller end of the broking sector, Martin Friel investigates why
Christmas Q&A with Michael Rea
The CEO of UK retail at Gallagher tells Insurance Age his highlights of 2019.
GRP silent as potential buyers named
Searchlight and Apax Partners are believed to be in talks with the consolidator over taking a stake in the business.
Profile: PIB's CEO Brendan McManus and CFO Ryan Brown
Building a broker: CEO Brendan McManus and CFO Ryan Brown reflect on ‘start-up’ PIB’s first years, explain why it isn’t a consolidator and reveal why staff retention and integration are key to the broker’s acquisition strategy
The Blog Spot: Cobra - how the once Towergate target ended up at PIB
Once upon a time you could not keep Cobra out of the news. Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift reflects on how the business regrouped almost by stealth to become the latest important part of the PIB growth story.