Aston Lark has revealed its first acquisition of 2021 – the purchase of Lloyd’s Broker CRS Yachts less than two months after its acquisition of MS Amlin’s marine pleasure craft book. CRS Yachts, which has provided a bespoke service focused on serving the insurance needs of superyacht owners for almost 20 years, is headquartered in the City of London with an additional office in Suffolk.
The brokerage will maintain its existing brand while playing an active role in the growth strategy of Aston Lark Europe.
Commenting on the deal, group CEO of Aston Lark Peter Blanc said it is exciting to have the opportunity to welcome Simon Ballard (CRS Yachts CEO) and the brokerage’s wider team to Aston Lark Europe and to have them working with its own CEO Robert Kennedy.
“With Euromarine, Haven Knox-Johnston and now CRS Yachts we’re becoming quite the nautical experts,” he said. “CRS Yachts specialises in the high-end world of superyachts and they place cover for some of the most beautiful craft on the planet.
“It’s an extremely specialised class of business which is facing its own hard market challenges. Simon and the team haven’t missed a beat through COVID and we’re looking forward to an exciting and challenging 2021 together.”
Ballard added that the CRS Yachts team is delighted to be joining the Aston Lark group. He noted his belief that combining the strengths of the group with his team’s client focused approach will make for a great collaboration. Working together, he said, the business will be able to service its current and future clients to the highest level possible and CRS Yachts is looking forward to continuing to grow and expand its offering.
Meanwhile, Kennedy said: “We are thrilled to bring CRS Yachts into the Aston Lark group under Robertson Low, albeit temporarily as we are set to rebrand Robertson Low and Wright Insurance Brokers as Aston Lark Europe in April 2021. CRS Yachts has built a really great business over the last few years with an exciting and dynamic team at its core.”
