Gallagher International snaps up MGA Woodbrook

London-based Gallagher International is to create a new underwriting division headed by OIM managing director Sian Fisher, Insurance Times reports this week.

The new division, called Arthur J Gallagher Underwriting Group, will incorporate two managing general agencies (MGAs); OIM, which it acquired in 2008; and Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies.

Gallagher today completed its acquisition of Essex-based MGA Woodbrook.

It writes £50m of London market business and is headed by Chris Blackwell, who is joining AJG Underwriting Group as part of the deal.

The UK arm of US retail broking giant AJG is also in negotiations over a deal to buy Heath Lambert.

Gallagher International chief executive David Ross has made no secret of his intentions to push into the UK retail broking space.

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