Henshalls to retain brand and focus on growth in Shropshire and Staffordshire
Global Risk Partners (GRP), a Brown & Brown company, has acquired John Henshall Ltd, trading as Henshalls Insurance Brokers.
Henshalls is a long-established commercial broker, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Newport, Shropshire, with offices in Shrewsbury and Stafford. Henshalls has particular specialisms in food and drink, manufacturing, construction, charities, sports and hospitality. Henshalls also operates two other successful brands, Bayliss and Cooke and Coachline, providing cover for buses, coaches and minibuses.
Henshalls’ directors Mark Freeman, Martin Pitchford, Dave Williams, Anthony Hughes, Neil Atkinson and all of their 42-strong team will remain with the business.
Mark Freeman (Henshalls Managing Director) noted: “We have operated as a proud independent broker since 1967 and decided that now was the right time to join GRP. This will enable us to continue our historical growth and expand our footprint in this area of the UK.”
He added: “In our discussions with Stephen Ross (GRP’s head of M&A) and Mike Bruce (GRP CEO), it became clear that joining GRP was the best future option for our business, our excellent team and our customers. It provides us with a strong platform on which to build the next exciting chapter for the business.”
“The added strength provided by Brown & Brown’s ownership of GRP, and particularly its ‘forever company’ ethos, was a major factor behind our decision to join the business,” he noted.
Commenting on behalf of GRP, Stephen Ross, head of M&A, said: “Henshalls is a really good fit for our retail business giving us a valuable presence in Shropshire and Staffordshire.”
“That part of the world is not widely served by brokerages, so we are pleased that Henshalls, which has been trading successfully for many years, has chosen to join our retail division.”
Henshalls marks the fifth acquisition completed by GRP so far this year, including four in the retail division and Nucleus Underwriting for the MGA.
The acquisition has received regulatory approval, and the consideration is undisclosed.