Howden Acquires Aston Lark

Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division Acquires Aston Lark (Bowmark Reinvests)

May 17, 2019

Insurance

Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking Division has agreed to acquire Aston Lark, the UK’s fifth-largest independent chartered insurance broker, from Bowmark Capital, with Bowmark reinvesting alongside Goldman Sachs. Aston Lark operates 27 regional offices, serves over 100,000 customers and places in excess of £350 million of annual premium; the deal is intended to support the company’s next phase of growth both organically and via acquisitions.

Aston Lark Acquires Seven Insurance Brokers in UK and Ireland

August 30, 2021

Insurance

Bowmark-backed Aston Lark has completed seven bolt-on acquisitions since May, bringing its total since January to 18. The deals add a mix of personal, commercial and niche specialist brokers across the United Kingdom and Ireland — including McMahon Galvin (Dublin), ES Risks (London) and Linkscover (golf specialist) — expanding Aston Lark’s geographic coverage and specialty capabilities.

Howden Acquires A-Plan Group from Hg

September 23, 2020

Insurance

Howden has agreed to acquire A-Plan Group, one of the UK's largest personal and commercial lines insurance brokers, from private equity firm Hg, subject to regulatory approval. The deal brings together Howden's specialty and reinsurance capabilities with A-Plan's retail distribution and data-driven personal/commercial lines expertise, creating a larger UK broking platform and expanding Howden's UK retail presence.

Bowmark-backed Aston Lark Acquires Robertson Low

January 22, 2019

Insurance

Aston Lark, backed by private equity firm Bowmark, has acquired Robertson Low, one of Ireland’s largest independent insurance brokers. The deal is Aston Lark’s first overseas purchase and is intended to expand the group’s presence and specialist insurance and employee benefits capabilities in Ireland and the UK.

Aston Lark Acquires PHM and Incepta Risk Management

August 10, 2020

Insurance

Bowmark-backed insurance broker Aston Lark has acquired PHM, an employee benefits intermediary, and Incepta Risk Management, a Lloyd's broker. The deals bring approximately £14 million of combined gross written premium and are intended to strengthen Aston Lark's employee benefits capability and its presence in the London market.

Bowmark-backed Aston Lark Acquires Highworth Insurance and Jobson James

April 12, 2019

Insurance

Bowmark-backed Aston Lark has completed two add-on acquisitions in 2019, acquiring Poole-based household broker Highworth Insurance and Midlands-centred Jobson James insurance broking and employee benefits group. Highworth places over £10 million of gross premium annually while Jobson James brings specialist expertise in rail, real estate and trade credit, helping Aston Lark grow its gross written premium to nearly £350 million.