Western Financial acquires part ownership in Manitoba broker HED

Western Financial Group has acquired a 25% initial interest in Hayhurst Elias Dudek Inc. (HED), the largest independent insurance broker/administrator in Manitoba.
HED is one of the largest independently owned insurance brokers in Canada, with approximately 190 employees nationwide. HED’s head office and the majority of employees are located in Winnipeg, with additional offices in Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
HED offers insurance solutions through the application of risk management techniques and an assessment of clients’ insurance needs. In addition, HED provides alternative risk transfer solutions such as managed, insurer-protected, self-insurance programs for larger buying groups and associations.
HED operates three core product segments:
commercial property and casualty
life and health, and
pet health insurance (offered through its subsidiary, SecuriCan General Insurance Company, a pet insurance provider in Canada).
HED specializes in property, casualty, life, health and dental insurance programs, primarily for multi-employer or multi-firm buying groups, school boards, municipalities and trade associations. As a major part of HED’s focus, a broad array of administration services that are typically offered only by policy underwriters are provided to these groups.
“We see enormous collaborative opportunities within our two operations particularly in commercial insurance programs, group life and health, and support for the unique products of SecuriCan General Insurance,” Western Financial Group president and CEO Scott Tannas said in a press release.
Western Financial noted that as the partnership with HED develops, “it is anticipated that Western Financial Group’s ownership position in HED will increase.”