US-headquartered brokerage Acrisure has forayed into Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) by acquiring the region’s biggest insurance distribution platform, Unilink Group, for an undisclosed sum.
Placing nearly seven million policies per year, Unilink Group provides non-life and life products through a network of 15,000 external agents and 2,500 points of sale. It employs more than 1,300 people across Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, and Moldova.
“Bringing the Acrisure brand to a new part of the world is an exciting proposition,” said Unilink Group chief executive Igor Rusinowski, who will remain at the helm.
“In the last several years we transformed Unilink Group from insurance distribution market leader in Poland to the largest player in CEE, spearheading the segment in six countries and operating through all distribution channels. In that regard, we’re very aligned with Acrisure’s commitment to growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
Echoing Rusinowski’s sentiments, Acrisure co-founder, chair, and CEO Greg Williams cited the strong CEE presence that will be provided by the acquired group.
“Igor and team have built a high-performing business that advances Acrisure’s broader global ambitions to capture more of the insurance value chain while expanding our client base,” noted Williams. “We’ll achieve great things together, so I’m grateful to Igor for his vision and the incredible effort of our international team to complete this transaction.”
Meanwhile, Acrisure’s global insurance president Grahame Millwater said the deal “could not be a better example” of expanding the company’s distribution while also acquiring the talent, skills, and value chain capabilities that are in complete alignment with its strategy globally.
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