GRP’s County Group buys again in Wales

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, has received regulatory approval County confirmed.

It marks the first GRP buy since the £1.48bn takeover of the consolidator by US giant Brown & Brown was announced last month. That deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

Archenfield operates out of offices in Monmouth and Cardiff Bay.

It was founded over 25 years ago and writes a mix of commercial and personal lines insurance. The firm will continue to operate from its current locations following completion, and managing director Francis Walsh will remain at the head of the business.

At the start of March County, GRP’s North West hub since 2018, also bought the business and assets of Cardiff-based community broker PG Insurance.

Pipeline

Alastair Christopherson, CEO of County, said: “This is the second of a number of deals we have in the pipeline for 2022. County Group has always been acquisitive, and our interest in acquisitions remains undiminished, as we look to grow our market presence in the North West and across Wales.”

He added: “Archenfield is a high quality community broker with deep local roots and a highly entrepreneurial management team that is hungry for growth. In our discussions with Francis Walsh it was clear that he shared our focus on profitable growth, and we especially liked the fact that many of his new clients come from personal recommendations.”

Footprint

Walsh said: “County Group has an enviable footprint and a reputation for nurturing the businesses they acquire and helping them achieve much greater levels of success.

“They are a great custodian for our business and our clients, and I am confident that Archenfield has a bright future under the County and GRP umbrella.”

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