Towergate announces two acquisitions

Towergate insurance has announced the acquisitions of Harrogate-based broker Ellis Bates Insurance, and the Crane Hire insurance business of Senior Wright Insurance Services, based in Leeds.

The deals take Towergate’s acquisition count for the year so far up to 13.

Ellis Bates Insurance Brokers was founded more than 30 years ago by Grant Ellis and Peter Bates and currently employs 22 people. The business specialises in coach and bus insurance and the care sector. The company will remain in its current premises under the management of Towergate Insurance’s Leeds managing director John Simpson.

In 1994, Ellis co-founded Broker Network, which was subsequently acquired by Towergate in 2007. Ellis Bates Insurance Brokers is also a Broker Network member.

The Crane Hire insurance business of Senior Wright Services, based in Leeds, will transfer to Towergate’s Yeadon office, along with Crane Hire account executive Ian Edmonson and two members of staff.

Towergate Group chief executive Mark Hodges said: “We are delighted to welcome Ellis Bates into Towergate, particularly given our strong ties with Grant Ellis. Ellis Bates is a classic example of a well-run broking business which will benefit from future investment and collaboration with our national network of broking operations.

The Crane Hire portfolio of Senior Wright is another welcome addition to the Towergate Group, complementing our businesses across the region and further strengthening our presence in Yorkshire, a county with a strong heritage of commercial insurance opportunities.”

Ellis Bates Group founder Grant Ellis added: “When considering our options for the sale of the business, Towergate was of course a natural choice, given their understanding of our portfolio and insurer relationships.”