Harrison Drury advises County Group on latest acquisition

Harrison Drury has advised North West insurance consultancy County Group on its acquisition of Staffordshire-based commercial insurance broker JSW Insurance.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is the latest in a series of acquisitions by growth-hungry County Group.

Newcastle-under-Lyme-based JSW Insurance also has offices in Melton Mowbray and Halifax. It was founded in 2003 and is led by managing director Nathan Walton and director Craig Roberts who have now joined the County Group board. The enlarged group will control more than £35m in premiums and employ 150 staff.

Predominately a commercial insurance broker, JSW Insurance also operates brands Landlord Sure, Director Protector and Verminator.

County group managing director Dave Clapp said: “I have admired Nathan and Craig’s business and the growth they have achieved over the last ten years from afar and am now really pleased they have joined forces with us.

“We can work closely together providing support and assistance to enable that journey to continue. What really attracted us to JSW Insurance is that they are a perfect fit for us.

“With a couple more acquisitions and the same trend of organic growth that both businesses have enjoyed over the last ten years, we are confident our plan of achieving £50m written premium will be achieved within the next four years.”

David Filmer, head of Harrison Drury’s mergers and acquisitions team, added: “County Group has a very clear and well thought-out strategy for growth and this acquisition presents another great opportunity for the business to achieve those growth aspirations.”