Cripps advises the shareholders of UKGI Group on strategic investment from Intact Financial Corporation

Cripps has advised UKGI Group, the parent company of leading UK insurance broker Adler Fairways, on the sale of a minority interest to Intact Financial Corporation, Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer and a top 12 global P&C company by market capitalisation.

Employing over 200 people, UKGI Group brings together a collection of respected brands across the UK insurance and consultancy sectors. Its Broking division includes Adler Fairways, Farm & General, and Intelligent Real Estate Due Diligence (IREDD), while its Consultancy division comprises UKGI Ltd, Insurance Compliance Services (ICS), UKGI Learning Solutions, and Searchlight Solutions.

The investment from Intact represents the Canadian group’s first investment in UK insurance distribution, following its acquisition of RSA Insurance Group in 2021.

Speaking following completion, Anthony Adler, Group Chief Executive of UKGI Group, commented:

“We had a number of funding options on the table, but Intact stood out as the perfect investor — a long-term, values-driven partner who understands our sector and shares our commitment to customer service and culture. Intact’s support will enable us to continue our ambitious growth strategy, both organically and through acquisitions, with a clear goal to double the size of the group in the short to medium term.”

The investment was made through a wholly-owned Intact subsidiary, independent of its UK underwriting operations. Intact described the transaction as part of its ongoing strategy to develop diversified earnings through investments in insurance distribution, following similar activity in Canada, the US, and Europe.

Cripps advised on all legal aspects of the transaction, drawing on expertise from its corporate, employment, and commercial teams.

This transaction further underlines Cripps’ track record in advising growth-focused businesses in the insurance sector on strategic investments, purchases and reorganisations – delivering pragmatic, commercially driven solutions underpinned by sector specific know-how that enable clients to achieve their long-term ambitions.

Laura Wilson, Corporate Partner at Cripps commented: It’s been a pleasure supporting the UKGI Group team on this key milestone. Their vision and ambition are clear, and this new structure will position the Group strongly for continued growth.

The Cripps team included Lowri Jones, Laura Wilson, Jade Hallam, Abigail Kirk

Clifford Chance – Legal advisors to Intact

Fenchurch Advisory Partners – Corporate Finance advisors to UKGI Group Ltd