Gallagher buys UK employee benefits firm Shilling

Arthur J Gallagher has acquired UK employee benefits consultancy Shilling for an undisclosed sum.

Shilling has a range of multinational clients including BT, Bayer, BAE Systems and IBM.

All 33 Shilling employees will join Gallagher’s existing 230-strong UK employee benefits team. The purchase will also give Gallagher a new office in Hampshire, bringing Gallagher’s total UK locations to 16.

Founder Kevin Shilling will stay on as chairman, and chief executive Matt Frost will continue to run the business. Both will report to Gallagher UK employee benefits chief executive Tim Johnson.

Johnson said: “This acquisition will add significantly to the service offering provided to our expanding client portfolio, following on from the recent Oval acquisition, which saw both Oval Healthcare and Oval Financial Services added to our growing team of UK professionals.”

Shilling said: “We are delighted to be joining the Arthur J. Gallagher family and look forward to developing the Shilling business with AJG.

“This is a really exciting time for us as we are expanding our client base globally and increasing the breadth of the employee communication services we offer, and this strategic move will enhance our opportunities to expand further.”

Frost added: “Our consultants personalise and tailor communication to increase levels of understanding and appreciation and we are excited to have the opportunity to offer these services to the ever-widening range of Gallagher clients.”