Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised independent insurance intermediary Global Risk Partners Ltd (“GRP”) on its acquisition of the Crewe-based County Group. GRP’s second major acquisition of 2018, the deal has received regulatory approval and the consideration is undisclosed.
Founded in 2003, the County Group is one of the UK’s top 25 brokers and has since grown both organically and through acquisitions. County employs 278 people and won Insurance Broker of the Year at the BIA Awards last July. County writes SME and personal lines insurance and delivered gross written premiums (“GWP”) of £72m this year. CEO and founder Dave Clapp said the business, which will continue to focus on a local service ethos, is now aiming to double in size during the next five years.
The WFW London corporate team advising GRP and working closely as ever with its General Counsel, Andrew Hunter, was led by Partner Nigel Taylor, assisted by Associate Simon Elliott. Fellow corporate Partner Dearbhla Quigley, tax Partner Tom Jarvis, employment Senior Associate Devan Khagram and real estate Senior Associate Robert Young also assisted.
Nigel commented: “I’m delighted to have once again been able to assist Andrew and GRP on completing another important acquisition that represents another important step forward for their regional hub strategy. It also demonstrates once again WFW’s growing profile in advising on mid-market UK M&A and private equity transactions”.
