Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires Germany’s Reck & Co.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based insurance brokerage, announced its claims and risk management solutions subsidiary, Gallagher Bassett, has acquired Bremen, Germany-based Reck & Co GmbH.
Terms of the transaction, which was announced on Feb. 2, were not disclosed.
Reck & Co. is a specialist provider of global transport and marine claims services including surveying, claim handling, recovery and loss prevention. The Reck & Co. team, led by Franz Kasten and Marc Friedrich, will remain in their current location under the direction of Manan Sagar, head of Gallagher Bassett’s Europe, Middle East and Asia operations.
“Reck & Co. has a deep reputation in the global marine insurance market and will expand Gallagher Bassett’s claims service offerings in Europe,” said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO. “I am excited to welcome Franz, Marc and their associates to our growing, global team.”
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Howden Buys Polygon Insurance Brokers Ltd. in Channel Islands
Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, announced the acquisition of Polygon Insurance Brokers Ltd. (PIBL), a retail insurance broker based in the Channel Islands.
Howden said the acquisition strengthens its ability to service clients in Jersey and Guernsey. Financial details of the transaction, which was announced on Jan. 28, were not disclosed.
PIBL, previously known as Vantage Insurance Brokers, provides insurance solutions tailored to the offshore financial services sector, high net worth individuals, family offices and trust companies operating in Jersey and Guernsey, with specialisms in professional indemnity and financial institutions insurance, D&O and cyber liability products.
“The acquisition of PIBL strengthens our ability to service the full spectrum of clients in Jersey and Guernsey, from corporates to high-net-worth individuals,” commented Martin Ellis, managing director and global practice leader for Professional Services, in a statement.
“By combining PIBL’s strong local relationships and client service with Howden’s specialist expertise and global capabilities, we’re creating even stronger outcomes for clients by expanding the breadth of solutions and market access available to them to meet their evolving needs,” Ellis added.
“By joining Howden, with its growing presence in the Channel Islands alongside its global network, PIBL will be better positioned to provide enhanced solutions and capabilities to clients,” said Henry Mowbray, managing director of PIBL.
The acquisition of PIBL follows Howden’s recent purchase of Guernsey-based ARM Holdings, a specialist in the formation and management of insurance captives, and is another step in its strategy to grow its business in the Channel Islands for the benefit of clients.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.
About Howden
Founded in 1994, Howden provides insurance, reinsurance and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from private individuals to the largest multinational companies. The group operates in 56 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the US, Australia and New Zealand, employing over 23,000 people and managing premiums totaling US$50 billion on behalf of its clients.
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Clear Group Acquires Gauntlet and Shire Insurance Services
Clear Group has acquired Gauntlet Appointed Representative Network (AR) and Gauntlet Retail Brokers 鈥� a deal that is designed to strengthen its Brokerbility network offering for independent brokers across the UK.
In addition, on Jan. 19, Clear Group announced the acquisition of Shire Insurance Services, a UK-based specialist insurance broker serving the UK veterinary sector.
Financial details of both deals were not disclosed.
Founded in Leeds in 1994 by Roger Gaunt, Gauntlet has grown into a leading specialist commercial insurance broker and national broker network. Gaunt will remain with the combined business to play a pivotal role in the development of Brokerbility’s AR proposition, with a particular focus on expanding membership across its various offerings and supporting entrepreneurial brokers.
In 2020, Clear Group acquired Brokerbility, which has been led by John Dunn as managing director since 2022.
In its Jan. 28 announcement, Clear Group described Gauntlet as a great partner to talented brokers thinking of starting their own businesses, providing the guidance and support to make the leap safely and then flourish.
The Gauntlet AR Network is a leading principal for appointed representative (AR) insurance brokers, assuming full regulatory responsibility on behalf of its AR members. Gauntlet has built a strong reputation for championing local and niche brokers, offering a comprehensive broking platform, extensive market access, online quote-and-buy functionality and e-trade solutions that support their growth ambitions.
Brokerbility, which is Clear Group’s network community for insurance brokers, helps member firms unlock their competitive advantage through access to proprietary insurance products, enhanced placement solutions, advanced data analytics, and a training academy.
In addition, it provides tailored support and value-added services, designed to reduce operational burden, enabling business owners to focus on running and growing their businesses, Clear Group said.
The combination of Brokerbility and Gauntlet AR Network creates a powerful new partner for independent insurance brokers at every stage of their journey 鈥� from newly launched startups, to mature independent firms seeking scale and resilience, Clear Group added.
ARs gain the market clout of a much bigger broker, without the administrative burden, allowing them to focus on clients and growth. Over time, brokers also have the option to transition to the directly authorized model with support from Brokerbility.
Gauntlet joined the Brokerbility network in 2023, strengthening both propositions and laying the foundations for the successful partnership that has now culminated in this acquisition, Clear Group said.
“Over the past four years, Brokerbility has been on a mission to be the network community of choice for those seeking to build high quality growth focused independent insurance businesses,” commented John Dunn, managing director of Brokerbility, in a statement.
“Through our membership, we have developed options and pathways for entrepreneurs and existing businesses to join our community and progress together. As we enter our 20th anniversary year the combination of Brokerbility and Gauntlet deepens an already successful collaboration, to give brokers real choice and expand our powerful community network for a broader group of members,” he added.
“Gauntlet has always been about supporting entrepreneurial brokers with the right framework, flexibility and support to succeed. Becoming fully part of Brokerbility allows us to accelerate that vision as part of a wider, values led community,” according to Roger Gaunt, founder and CEO of Gauntlet. “I’m excited to continue growing the AR network and to help shape a proposition that truly reflects what brokers want and need.”
Clear Group kicked off 2026 with acquisition of UK specialist broker Shire Insurance Services (SIS), a specialist insurance broker serving the UK veterinary sector.
Established in 1981, Shire Insurance Services is a respected specialist broker within the veterinary market. The business is based in Alcester, England and employs 15 colleagues and places approximately 拢7 million of gross written premium (GWP). Shire is owned by majority shareholder Keith Dickinson alongside co-founder John Worton.
Following the acquisition, Dickinson and the wider team will remain with the business to ensure continuity for clients, insurer partners and colleagues.
The acquisition adds another specialist proposition to Clear Group’s growing portfolio, enhancing its expertise in the veterinary sector through a strong veterinary surgery scheme placed with Ecclesiastical, alongside complementary capabilities in the employee benefits (EB) space. Shire also provides a wide range of other specialist insurance solutions for veterinary practices and is well positioned to capture future growth driven by the resurgence of independent veterinary practices and corporate carve outs.
“Shire Insurance Services is a highly regarded specialist business with deep expertise in the veterinary sector. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategy of building leading specialist propositions within our UK Retail pillar,” according to Mike Edgeley, group CEO of Clear Group.
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