Insurance broker acquired by global firm

Cheshire-based Bollington Insurance has been acquired by a global insurance broker and risk management firm, Gallagher.

The acquisition of Bollington, which has seven offices in the region, including in Macclesfield and a head office in Sale, will allow Gallagher to expand its presence in the North-west of England. The acquisition has already been approved by regulators.

The Bollington Wilson Group employs over 400 staff, serving 230,000 customers. The insurance broker specialises in working with SMEs and micro-businesses, as well as niche product lines. The firm will become part of Gallagher’s UK Retail Division, which serves over 1 million customers nationwide from a network of regional offices.

Paul Moors, Group CEO of Bollington, said:

It was clear from the start that we had found a fantastic partner in Gallagher. Michael and his team spoke the same language as us and Gallagher’s focus on employing and developing its employees to provide great client service fits well with our ethos. Having led Bollington for over 20 years, I am delighted that our business will become part of such a market-leading global broker, and this partnership will enable us to continue our track record for growth, and provide a springboard for further success.”

Commenting on the agreement to acquire Bollington, Michael Rea, CEO of Gallagher’s UK Retail Division, said:

Bollington is a hugely-respected business and culturally is an excellent fit with Gallagher. This thriving business has strong capability and an impressive portfolio of specialisms that are complementary to our existing business lines, and provides us with additional scale in the regional commercial broking sector.

“Its base in the North West will add further depth to our existing UK wide coverage through our Gallagher UK branch network. We have been particularly impressed with the team’s entrepreneurial mindset and focus on client service, both of which are fundamental to our way of doing business here at Gallagher. I look forward to working with Paul and the wider team as we join the businesses together.”