This week’s biggest M&A stories

Starting off the week, Brown and Brown Europe announced that it had acquired MGA and Lloyd’s coverholder Premier Commercial (PremCo).

Based in Edinburgh, PremCo specialises in niche construction sector property and complex liability programmes. It was established in 1995 by Crawford and Joyce Boyd.

• Brown and Brown acquires Edinburgh-based MGA specialising in construction

Then, Gallagher said it had received a request for additional information about its acquisition of AssuredPartners.

In December 2024, Gallagher agreed a deal to acquire AssuredPartners for £10.5bn. At the time, it was expected that the transaction would close during the first quarter of 2025.

However, Gallagher now anticipates that the deal will complete in the second half of this year after receiving “a request for additional information as part of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) filing related to its proposed acquisition”.

• Gallagher’s £10.5bn acquisition of broker faces further enquiries

After that, PIB Group acquired litigation specialist Litica to expand it MGA division.

MGA Litica specialises in propositions for private and corporate clients involved in litigation or arbitration.

• PIB Group marks ‘exciting milestone’ with acquisition of London-based MGA

Following this, Direct Line Group (DLG) shareholders approved Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover of the insurer.

Shareholders voted on the deal after the board of directors at both firms announced they had agreed terms over an acquisition in December 2024.

• DLG shareholders approve Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover

This week also saw private equity (PE) firm IK Partners agree a deal to acquire a minority stake in broker Seventeen Group.

The funds from the deal will be used to help Seventeen Group accelerate growth, enhance innovation and leverage technology to capitalise on opportunities in new and existing markets.

• PE firm acquires minority stake in broker Seventeen Group

Rounding off the week, Ardonagh Advisory acquired Anderson and Co and its wholly owned subsidiary as part of plans to expand in the north of England.

Blackpool-based broker Anderson and Co, which was established over 50 years ago, specialises in commercial and personal lines.

• Ardonagh Advisory acquires Blackpool-based broker