GRP buys Leeds broker Lawrence Fraser

Global Risk Partners (GRP) has acquired 100% of the share capital of Lawrence Fraser Brokers.

It is the fourth deal for Marshall Wooldridge since GRP invested in the business in 2016 and it became the centre of its acquisition strategy in the Yorkshire region.

Specialism
Lawrence Fraser is a commercial broker providing a range of commercial, prestige home and motor products and risk management services to clients throughout the Yorkshire region.

Geoff Kirk, managing director of Marshall Wooldridge, said Lawrence Fraser MD, Paul Lawrence, and his team will all remain with the business and in their current location.

He commented: “This is a great deal for all parties and I’m especially pleased to welcome Paul and his team at Lawrence Fraser to Marshall Wooldridge and the wider GRP Group.

“We have built up a strong presence in the Yorkshire region and the acquisition of Lawrence Fraser is a great start to 2021. We have plenty of appetite for further deals and I am keen to talk to businesses interested in joining us at Marshall Wooldridge.”

History
Paul Lawrence said: “We can trace our business back thirty years, so this is a significant milestone in our history. Marshall Wooldridge laid out a compelling opportunity for us and we are all enthused by the prospects for the business from being part of Marshall Wooldridge.

“We believe that being under the GRP umbrella will pay dividends for our clients during the current hard market and we look forward to giving them access to the wider range of products and services that we can now access.”

Acquisitions
GRP has already made a series of deals since the start of the year.

It bought Marsh Networks in February including Bluefin Network, ProBroker and the Purple Partnership.

In addition, it added Birmingham-based Newstead to its portfolio in January. Newstead quickly followed up with its own purchase of Alford Burton & Company.

In February GRP also swooped for Ipswich-based Five Insurance Brokers.

GRP-owned Premier Choice Healthcare also snapped up SJA International for an undisclosed sum and, most recently, Chesterfield-based DCJ, which became part of GRP last year, bought Lincoln-based JE Sills & Son.

Presence
Stephen Ross, head of M&A at GRP, added: “Geoff is steadily growing a significant footprint for Marshall Wooldridge in Yorkshire.

“All our hubs have an appetite for deal making, but we are equally determined to build our market presence organically, including in Yorkshire.”

He continued: “Lawrence Fraser fits our investment criteria perfectly, having the right combination of active management, a quality book of business and bright growth prospects. I’m delighted to welcome them to GRP.”  

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