Insurance firms announce merger

Henshalls Insurance Brokers has announced the acquisition of a Staffordshire firm in a deal which it says makes them one of the region’s largest independent companies.

The deal with Bayliss & Cooke enables Henshalls to extend its reach to provide its services to a wider client base.

Henshalls managing director Mark Freeman said: “We’re very pleased to have signed the contract with Bayliss & Cooke, and to have agreed a deal that is of mutual benefit to both firms.

“By combining our resources, we are now one of the region’s largest independent insurance brokers which is great news for clients as we can provide even more services – including the specialist Coachline cover for buses, coaches and minibuses – and we will have even stronger relationships with insurers.”

Freeman said that, moving forward, the Bayliss & Cooke brand would be retained across Staffordshire, with the firm’s 14 directors and employees continuing to operate from the Stafford office.

“We had been looking for the right acquisition for some time, and with our head office in Newport, the chance to acquire Bayliss & Cooke just down the road in Stafford is the perfect fit.”

Jon Edwards, owner of Bayliss & Cooke, said: “I’ve known the Henshalls team for over ten years and our company cultures are very similar, so this deal is definitely the right move for us.

“They have been in business for over 50 years, and both our firms are well-established community insurance brokers with loyal and experienced teams. We’re very much looking forward to working with Henshalls and to helping to expand their reach into the wider Staffordshire and Midlands areas.”

As well as its head office in Newport, Henshalls has an office in Shrewsbury.