£25m GWP broker creates new hub in Northern Ireland
Oval has acquired Belfast based broker Bartholomew & James.
The acquisition creates a new Northern Ireland regional foothold for the consolidator.
Formed in 1957, Bartholomew & James is one of the largest independent commercial brokers in Northern Ireland.
With an annual GWP of around £25m and a team of just under 60 staff, the company provides services for a range of indigenous Northern Ireland based businesses in sectors which include commercial property, construction, housing associations and churches.
Stephen James, managing director of Bartholomew & James will become Oval’s Northern Ireland regional managing director.
He said: “Bartholomew & James has always taken pride in delivering exceptional personal and local service to our clients and we are delighted that Oval is closely aligned with these values.
"We’re also pleased that all our staff and directors will remain and continue to work closely with our existing clients.
"Oval’s customer focussed ethos combined with it’s commitment to regional networks within a national company will mean that our customers will retain our well-known local service whilst benefiting from the greater expertise, leverage and buying power of a national business."
Jeff Herdman, group managing director of Oval, said: “We are extremely pleased that Bartholomew & James has joined the group.
"The company adds to our philosophy of only working with the most respected brokers to create an exceptional national team. We are tremendously happy to have entered a new region through this acquisition and look forward to sustained commitment to, and growing prosperity in Northern Ireland.”
