Carlisle insurance business extends reach with North East takeover

Paul Graham and Joanne Lee

H&H Insurance Brokers, which is part of the Carlisle-based H&H Group of companies, has acquired a North East insurance business, for an undisclosed sum.

H&H said the acquisition of Tynedale Insurance Services brings together two of the North’s leading insurance specialists to establish a flagship business with an all-encompassing service for their customers.

H&H Group has five subsidiaries operating across the livestock marketing, auctioneering, commercial print, digital marketing, property and insurance sectors.

The insurance side of the business, established in 1987, focuses predominantly on the rural and agricultural sectors, arranging a broad portfolio of insurances for farmers, agricultural contractors and many other commercial businesses.

This is the latest acquisition in an ongoing growth strategy for H&H Group who, in the past two years has acquired Eden Lettings and Management for their property division and Print Graphic and Dotcom for H&H Reeds.

Richard Rankin, H&H Group chief executive, said: “The acquisition of Tynedale Insurance Services is part of our strategy to deliver growth and opportunity, both for the company and our clients.

“It is also a natural connection of dots, linking our Cumbrian offering with our now established North East team. But more importantly, both companies share the same ethos and values, living by high levels of service and professionalism and this acquisition enhances our offering even further.”

Tynedale Insurance Services was founded by Joanne Lee in 2015. Set up with the vision to serve the local community, Hexham-based Tynedale provides insurance across the board, from farming to household and commercial to motor.

Paul Graham, managing director of H&H Insurance Brokers, said. “We have known Tynedale Insurance Services and Joanne for many years and there were obvious synergies between our two companies. Joanne has built up a very successful business. She is highly respected within the industry, and we share the same values.”

As part of the merger, Joanne will become a director of H&H Insurance Brokers. She said: “This acquisition brings benefits for customers of both companies.

“Being part of a larger organisation ensures here in Hexham we can provide a greater portfolio of services and continue to grow the business. I am also looking forward to bouncing ideas off fellow directors to see how we can further improve our service offering to the people of the North East.”

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