Gallagher has expanded its UK commercial footprint with the acquisition of Bridge Insurance Brokers, adding further scale in real estate and construction and strengthening its presence in Manchester and London.
Gallagher said it has acquired Bridge Insurance Brokers Limited in the UK, with regulatory approval already secured and terms undisclosed. Bridge is an active private limited company incorporated on 7 December 1970, according to Companies House.
The deal brings a long-established specialist broker into Gallagher’s UK & Ireland Retail business. Bridge says it is one of the UK’s largest independent corporate insurance brokers, with offices in Manchester and London, while its website says the firm employs more than 100 staff and specialises across commercial insurance lines including real estate and construction.
The acquisition adds to a sizeable existing platform. Gallagher said in March 2024 that its UK & Ireland retail division had 4,000 colleagues looking after the risk management and insurance needs of more than one million commercial organisations and individuals across an extensive office network.
Bridge’s leadership team is staying in place, with CEO Roger Potts and directors Alex Cohen and Andre Backner continuing in their roles post-acquisition, according to the announcement.
Nick Harris, CEO of Gallagher’s UK & Ireland Retail division, said: “Bridge is a fantastic business that further strengthens our commercial footprint in the UK, and we are delighted to welcome over 110 new colleagues to Gallagher. The firm is a corporate broker with a long established trading history and a strong presence across several specialist sectors, in particular real estate and construction, where Gallagher already has a significant presence, so it is highly complementary to our existing operations.
“Culturally it is clear we are a great fit with shared values and this partnership presents an incredible opportunity for our specialist teams to combine expertise and deliver even greater value to our clients. I look forward to working with Roger and the wider team as we bring the businesses together for the benefit of clients and colleagues.”
The transaction looks strategically aligned with where Gallagher has been investing. Its UK retail business now separates commercial and corporate client segments more clearly, with the
commercial arm targeting mid-market clients through the regional office network. Against that backdrop, bringing in a broker with an established real estate and construction proposition adds sector depth as well as regional distribution strength.
Roger Potts, CEO of Bridge Insurance Brokers, commented: “Even with its huge scale, Gallagher retains a close family feel and its strong emphasis on culture, collaboration, and commitment to exceptional service aligns perfectly with our own values. This partnership presents an incredible opportunity for our specialist teams to bring together their respective expertise and deliver even greater value to our clients.”
