Harrison Drury advises on latest County Insurance acquisition

Law firm Harrison Drury has advised Crewe-headquartered County Insurance on its acquisition of a broker in West Yorkshire.

Safe and Sound Insurance Centre, based in Heckmondwike, has been bought for an undisclosed sum. All five staff will remain with the business.

Managing director Ian Day will remain with the group for 12 months post-acquisition to assist with the handover and director Stuart Ritchie will take up the role of branch director.

Dave Clapp, managing director of the County Group, said: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Safe and Sound to the County Group. The business has been excellently run for the last 23 years with a loyal client base and a well-established brand in the community.

"This branch fits nicely into our strategy to provide a local broker service to communities.

"We have a business plan we are working to. With a couple more acquisitions and the same trend of organic growth that our acquired businesses have enjoyed over many years, we are confident that our plan of achieving £50m written premium will be delivered."

David Filmer, a director and head of the M&A team at Harrison Drury, said: “We were first instructed by County Insurance at the beginning of this acquisitive growth strategy and it has been exciting to work with the business as it grows at a fast pace. This latest acquisition meets all of County Insurance’s criteria for expanding the business financially and geographically.”

Ian Day added: "I'm really pleased about joining County Insurance. I know that the business is in safe hands. I'm really pleased that the business will remain to serve the local community but will now benefit from the County Insurance's increased buying power, meaning increased choice and competitive solutions for our clients." Country Insurance now has nine offices and controls more than £37m of premiums.