Media Release: Ardonagh Global Partners announces today (June 1, 2021) the launch of Ethos Broking Australia (Ethos) to drive forwards its ambitious growth strategy within the M&A arena.
Established to provide compelling succession planning, exit strategies or the required capital for insurance brokers to grow their existing business, Ethos Broking Australia already has a strong pipeline of businesses it plans to invest in and acquire which will provide a solid foundation for future expansion.
The launch follows Ardonagh’s expansion into Australia in January with the acquisition of Resilium, the country’s largest independently owned intermediary network. Most recently, The Group also announced its intention to acquire the insurance operations of BGC Partners, including Australian MGA Epsilon Underwriting.
Adrian Kitchin, who successfully led the management buyout of Resilium Insurance Broking in 2019 as its Managing Director, takes up the role of CEO Ethos Broking Australia, while Paul Lynam, who joined Ardonagh as Chairman, Australia earlier this year will expand his focus to also support Ethos to become one of the largest independent insurance groups in Australia.
Both Mr Lynam and Mr Kitchin say they welcome hearing from growing insurance businesses that can see the benefits of ‘working together’ with a multi-million-dollar entity behind them.
In the UK, Ardonagh owns Ethos Broking UK which operates in conjunction with its network offering to offer principals the firepower to grow through hub-and-satellite acquisitions, succession planning and ultimately an exit option with a culturally aligned supportive owner. Ethos in the UK has grown from a standing start to having 13 Regional Hubs and 27 satellites with a combined GWP of £301m to date.
Commenting on the launch, Mr Lynam said: “We are thrilled to be offering a compelling solution for insurance business owners that suits their requirements at any time in their lifecycle. Through the strong backing of our parent company, Ardonagh, Ethos Broking Australia has the financial capacity to either fully acquire, or partly acquire, Australian insurance businesses that align with our own cultural fit, which is vitally important to us.”
Mr Kitchin added: “Ethos is set to offer like-minded insurance brokers flexibility in how they work with us to reach their individual aspirations. For those that want to stay in the business and partner with us to implement growth strategies, we are ready to support them long-term. Equally, for those thinking about taking a step back, Ethos provides an alternative to consolidation, bringing their business into a growing and connected group of strong regional brands.”
Ben Hastie, currently Director, Broking for Resilium will move into the role of Managing Director, taking over day-to-day responsibility from Adrian Kitchin.
Mr Hastie will continue to focus on growth of Resilium’s Authorised Representative network alongside building out an enhanced product offering for members.
Notes to Editors: For more information, please visit www.ethosbroking.com.au or www.ardonagh.com or www.resilium.com.au