It was recently announced that Partners& has restructured its general insurance division.
This restructuring meant the addition of nine newly created roles within the client management, business development” and integrations sectors and marks the latest step in a rapid expansion for the brokerage. Since 2020, Partners& has made more than 100 internal promotions.
Speaking on the restructuring decision, Phil Barton (pictured), Partners& group CEO, said: “Our intention with reforming our team is to create a renewed focus on organic growth. The start of the new financial year is a good time to put a structure in place that will set us up for success.”
Barton believes the decision to restructure represents a renewed growth focus: “Our strategy has always been focused on blended growth – a mix of organic and M&A, depending on market conditions and opportunity driven by legislation. For example, 2024 was a big M&A year given the changes to capital gains tax that prompted many proprietors to consider their options. We see the opportunity in 2025 to be biased towards organic growth and we are investing in our team with this restructure,” he said.
According to Insurance DataLab’s 2024 report on M&A in the broking sector, there were “well over 100 deals completed over the last 12 months.” It also reported that “While London and the South East continue to be the epicentre for activity, the North West has become a particularly important region, accounting for more than 10% of all deals in 2024.”
This data echoes a growing regional diversification in M&A activity. In recent years, Partners& has made acquisitions in Scotland and Coventry.
Barton believes the restructuring will also help Partners& put forward a comprehensive client-offering.
“The colleagues stepping into these roles will lead our teams to provide the care, advice and support that clients deserve as they seek to navigate the current economic challenges,” he said in a company release.
He expanded on this, telling Insurance Business: “We understand the challenges clients are facing today and we want to be in the best position to support them with the right risk management advice for their business, their people and themselves as individuals.”
Indeed industry-wide studies continue to highlight the rising risks and pressures facing businesses today.
According to 2024 research by Marsh McLennan, “economic and financial challenges (43%), cyber threats (39%) and people-related risks (38%) are the top three concerns facing UK businesses over the next 12 months.”
Matthew Hill, CEO, Chartered Insurance Institute told Insurance Business that the CII’s Public Trust Index data revealed: “Improving customer service is probably the biggest challenge for 2025.”
“That’s especially true in relation to how claims and complaints are handled… as well as ensuring fair pricing of products for all customers” he added.
This resonates well with Barton’s own goals: “Our ambition is to deliver high quality seamless advice to our clients and be the exemplar in the industry,” he said.
