Keyword
M&A
Speculative ripple effects of the Aon-Willis merger on the Canadian reinsurance scene
March 20, 2020 by David GambrillAon plc’s announced agreement to acquire Willis Towers Watson in early March for $30-billion in an all-stock deal raises a host of interesting speculative possibilities for Canada’s reinsurance market, a former reinsurance executive in Canada told Canadian Underwriter recently. Among…
One attractive option for brokerages looking to sell
March 11, 2020 by Jason ContantBeing bought by a private equity firm may be an attractive option for brokerages looking to sell, said veteran P&C industry advisor and consultant Mike Berris, a partner with Smythe Advisory. “Their offering can be attractive in that they often…
How M&A is tracking so far this year in the Canadian insurance space
March 6, 2020 by Jason ContantAfter a bit of a lull in M&A announcements in the Canadian property and casualty space since the beginning of the year, it looks like the market for P&C brokerages and employee benefits solutions remains strong. Deals seem to be…
Selling your brokerage? What your potential buyers are looking for
March 4, 2020 by Jason ContantBrokers who can best balance online distribution with personal advice will reap the benefits in the current merger and acquisition (M&A) environment, a brokerage M&A expert noted recently. “In Canada, brokers have generally been successful in defending against pure direct…
Don’t make this common M&A mistake
February 20, 2020 by Adam MalikGrowing your business doesn’t necessarily mean you’re creating more value for it. That’s a common mistake people make during merger and acquisition deals, according to one expert. Value is created only when the business gets a return on capital in…
Why brokerage M&A in Canada will slow down in 2020
January 24, 2020 by Jason ContantLooking at the number of brokerage acquisitions already in January, you wouldn’t think merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is slowing down. But earlier this month, Willis Towers Watson reported that the global M&A market, with performance in steady decline since…
Who bought who this past week in the Canadian P&C space?
November 4, 2019 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International Limited has bought another Canadian firm as part of its ongoing strategy to expand its employee benefits and pension solutions. Hub announced Monday it had acquired R Bruce Inc., doing business as RBI Advisory Group.…
5 lessons for M&A newbies, courtesy of serial acquirers
October 10, 2019 by Jason ContantWhat are some of the best practices in mergers and acquisitions (M&A)? David Hunt, senior director of mergers and acquisitions at Willis Towers Watson, said in a recent blog that newcomers can learn from the best serial acquirers. While not…
How many brokerages have been bought in the past week?
October 8, 2019 by Jason ContantThe trend in brokerage mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remains strong with no sign of abating, as three large brokerages scooped up no less than eight firms in the past week. On Oct. 2, Hub International announced that it had acquired…
How smaller brokerages can survive in a mega-merger environment
August 16, 2019 by Jason ContantAs mergers and acquisitions ramp up in the Canadian P&C space, smaller brokerages will need to go for scale or niche to survive, brokers say. “As of late, with Wawanesa buying Western Financial, NFP buying a half-dozen really big brokers,…
What’s driving brokerage M&A in Canada?
August 13, 2019 by Jason ContantWhat does the current market look like for merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the Canadian P&C brokerage space? “The current market is primarily being driven by underwriters and private equity (PE) investors,” wrote Mike Berris, partner and practice group…
Two 100-year-old mutual insurers vote to amalgamate
July 13, 2018 by David GambrillNorfolk Mutual Insurance Company and Wabisa Mutual Insurance Company in Ontario have voted to amalgamate under the new name “Nova Mutual.” The two mutuals held separate special general meetings Tuesday on the proposed amalgamation, scheduled to take effect January 1,…