Birmingham broker acquired by major US firm

US broker AssuredPartners has expanded its UK footprint with the acquisition of Hettle Andrews & Associates Limited.

Based in Birmingham, Hettle Andrews is an integrated risk management and insurance broking firm, focused on the education, charity and corporate sectors in the UK.

Co-founded in 2004 by Jon Hettle and Jo Andrews, the business employs over 30 people and records gross written premiums of over £20m per annum for its clients.

AssuredPartners claims it is the fastest-growing, independent insurance agency in the United States.

Size

Founded in 2011, the firm has acquired in excess of 280 agencies, with offices in 30 states and over 6000 employees.

Following the recent sale of AssuredPartners to GTCR, the firm said the acquisition was a sign of intent to grow the business across the UK and develop its operations in London during GTCR’s ownership.

David Heathfield, chief executive of AssuredPartners London, said: “We have been extremely impressed with the manner in which Jo and Jon run their operation and we are delighted that Hettle Andrews is now part of the rapidly growing AssuredPartners’ family.

“Jo and Jon are leaders in their field and their expertise and knowledge will be invaluable to us in helping to achieve our strategic goal of expanding our presence in the UK regional retail broker market.”

Hettle, director and co-founder said: “All of the directors of Hettle Andrews are delighted to have concluded the sale of the business to AssuredPartners.

“As part of a wider group, we have considerable opportunity to grow together and to provide the same great service to existing and new clients.

“This is a new phase in the development of Hettle Andrews and we are excited about the future working together.

“We found ourselves in the privileged position of having a great deal of interest from potential suitors but felt that AssuredPartners offered something different to the existing acquirers in the marketplace.”