Mike Edgeley's appointment, subject to regulatory approval, reaffirms Clear's ambition to continue making strategic acquisitions, following the addition of the Brokerbility Group to its growing stable of businesses. Clear is currently on course to reach its target of £50m revenue during 2022. Edgeley joins the main Clear Group board and the boards of Clear Insurance Management, Morrison Insurance Solutions and the Brokerbility businesses, Churchill and BHIB.
Edgeley brings significant insurance sector experience, most recently as managing director at A-Plan Insurance. Before joining A-Plan, Edgeley spent eight years at BGL in various leadership roles and then held MD positions at Lancaster Insurance and the Specialist Medical Division within Capita plc. Before entering the insurance sector, Edgeley spent 17 years in the military. During that time, he held leadership and operational positions in the Parachute Regiment and was a staff officer in the Ministry of Defence.
Clear's founders, Howard Lickens and Gary O'Donnell, started the company in 2001 with a handful of clients and staff. The Group now handles over £200m in premiums and employs more than 400 people across 10 offices. Since 2017, the Group's growth has been backed by ECI Partners, contributing to a doubling of EBITDA. Lickens and O'Donnell will continue to play an integral part in the business's growth plans. Lickens takes on the role of executive chairman while O'Donnell becomes group M&A director.
Howard Lickens, executive chairman of the Clear Group, said: 'We are fortunate to have someone of Mike's experience and capability to take the business forward. His appointment as group CEO also reflects the pace at which we are realising our growth ambitions. Clear has grown significantly in recent years, and the management team we have built, led by Mike, is in great shape to deliver on our next phase of development".
Mike Edgeley, Group CEO, said: "I'm delighted to be joining a talented team and dynamic business, which has such an exciting future. We have a unique proposition for brokers at a crossroads who are seeking the advantages of the collegiate Brokerbility model or a good home for their business as they realise their investment. Our proposition for customers grows as we develop our product base and access to markets further.
I'm very much looking forward, along with Howard, Gary and the team at Clear, to deliver on the next stage of our growth journey".