Partners& creates northern hub with fresh deal

Partners& has bought Bolton-based insurance broker Ives & Taylor for an undisclosed sum.

The business, which was launched by ex Jelf boss Phil Barton and former Bluefin CEO Stuart Reid last April, said the move was in line with its strategy to build a hub in the North of England.

It noted that Ives & Taylor brings commercial lines, professional indemnity and private clients business to the Partners& portfolio. The broker was established in Bolton in 1965 and employs 13 people. 

Partners& was formed from brokers MRIB and Independents, La Playa, CGI and Versatile with initial £25m investment from Capital Z.

Earlier this year it bought Oxford-headquartered Focus Oxford Risk Management. Partners& also recently established a North East base, taking on three staff to develop a regional proposition in the area.

Vision
Stephen Buckley, managing director of Ives & Taylor, said: “We’re excited to be joining Partners&. We believe in the vision that Phil has for the business, and the opportunity it brings for our people and our clients.

“We are proud of our heritage and of the service and care we bring to our clients, so it is of critical importance to us to be part of a values-based organisation which shares our core principles around clients and people.”

Phil Barton, Partners& CEO, said: “Creating a hub in the North of England is an important step for us in developing our national footprint.

“For us to continue our mission, which seeks to return the market to the best traditions of advice and relationships, combined with modern thinking and intelligent use of technology, it was critical that we aligned ourselves with a business which shares our values and will fit in with our culture.

“We have found that in Ives & Taylor and I’m confident it will be a good move for the team, their clients and of course, Partners&.”

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