Erskine Murray acquires Bedfordshire broker

Erskine Murray has today announced the completion of its acquisition of Houghton Insurance Bureau Ltd, a Bedfordshire-based independent insurance broker. 

This is the company’s third acquisition in the last eighteen months, having recently acquired Offley Insurance Ltd, a Cheshire-based insurance broker, and Asciak Holdaway Merritt Ltd, an Essex-based brokerage.

Erskine Murray chief executive Tom Bartleet, said: “With our values and ambitions being so strongly aligned, the acquisition of Houghton Insurance is a positive move that will further enhance our regional based client offering.

“As a growing broker, both organically and via targeted acquisitions, we are continuing to develop our service offering to ensure we remain in the best position to serve our clients.”

Alignment

Houghton managing director Duncan Smith will continue with the business. Houghton employees will remain with the broker, with Erskine Murray saying the deal will present them with enhanced career and development opportunities.

Erskine Murray managing director, Alan Wheeler, added: “We are delighted to be acquiring a business who share Erskine Murray’s ethos for excellent client services on both a local and a national scale.

“There is strong and significant alignment between our vision and culture, which makes Duncan and his team a great fit for us.

“We will be focused on enhancing the range of products and services for Houghton Insurance’s current loyal client base so that they will continue to benefit from progressions in the industry.”

Smith has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and Wheeler added he was delighted to keep him in the business.

Smith said: “After providing independent commercial and personal insurance broking services to our clients for over 50 years, we have been able to join another like-minded insurance business who share our aims and ethos, and  in turn will enable us to continue to flourish, grow and expand.

“In addition, we have the same common goal of offering our clients solid sound advice, help and assistance in providing competitive risk management solutions.”