Aston Lark expands marine business with purchase of N&G book

Howden-owned broker Aston Lark has today (14 December 2022) acquired the commercial direct marine book from Zurich-owned Navigators and General (N&G) in a move designed to expand its product range for the marine line.

Aston Lark said the acquisition would allow it – alongside it Haven Knox-Johnston brand – to offer marine insurance to a wider variety of businesses active in the marine industry.

Haven Knox-Johnston is a boat insurance brand owned by Aston Lark

The acquisition will see N&G’s commercial marine products and underwriting capacity remain unchanged, while N&G will continue to offer commercial marine products to customers through brokers.

Mike Jeffrey, marine trades underwriter at N&G, will also join Aston Lark as part of the deal.

Aston Lark has previously added to its marine portfolio with the acquisition of superyacht broker CRS Yachts in January 2021.

The broker also purchased the MS Amlin’s pleasure craft business – Haven – in November 2020. Haven Knox-Johnston was also previously owned by MS Amlin.

Increased range

Steve Hook, head of marine for Aston Lark, added: “We’re really excited to welcome Jeffrey to Aston Lark.

“As an experienced marine trades underwriter, he will continue to look after his clients as he has done for many years and help us widen the range of insurance products and solutions for businesses that service the marine industry.

“This acquisition reinforces our strong business relationship with N&G.”

Jeffrey added: “I am thrilled to be joining my new colleagues at Aston Lark. By adding marine trade insurance to complement their brilliant Haven Knox-Johnston offering, I am really looking forward to helping add to their fantastic reputation as the UK’s leading marine insurance specialist.”