Top 50 Brokers 2011: 21st RK Harrison

Management: Paul Bridgwater joined the RK Harrison management team – many of whom were former colleagues from JLT – in 1999, when a management buyout took place. He became chief executive in 2003.

Strategy: Founded in 1882, Bedford-based RK Harrison continues to creep up the Top 50, having moved three places this year from 24th in 2010, following a two-place rise in both 2009 and 2008.