County Group swallows North Wales insurance broker

COUNTY Group, the Crewe-headquartered insurance business, has completed its sixth acquisition in three years taking annual premiums to £50m.

It has acquired Brady & Jones Insurance Brokers, a firm based in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition follows the Group’s recent purchases of Whitchurch Insurance Services in May 2012 JSW Insurance Services in July 2013, Safe and Sound Insurance Centre in July 2014, Clement Gallagher in September 2014 and Chester Insurance Services in August this year.

Brady & Jones was established since 1996 and has a client mix of both personal and commercial insurance. The business was founded by Mike Jones who is to remain running the business post acquisition.

Current annual premiums are £1.3m and the company employs three staff. It will continue trading as Brady & Jones Insurance Brokers and remain in the same premises in Colwyn Bay. All staff will remain with the business.

County chief executive Dave Clapp said: “We know that Mike and his team have a great reputation locally and first class renewal retention. By adding our operational and marketing expertise, plus access to a wider range of products, then we are confident Brady & Jones can go from strength to strength.

“This branch fits nicely into our strategy to provide a local broker service to communities and expanding our branch network in the Midlands, North West and Wales.”

The mergers and acquisitions team at Harrison Drury solicitors has advised County – with 200 staff across 12 branches – on its latest acquisition.

David Filmer, head of the M&A team at Harrison Drury, said: “This latest acquisition cements County Group’s position as one of the fastest growing businesses in the region.”

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