Fee and commission income (2002): £385m.
Pre-tax profit (2002): £4m
Address: 9 Alie Street
London E1 8DE
Tel: 020 7204 6000
Fax: 020 7204 6001
Website: www.ajg.com
www.ajg.co.uk
Year established: 1974
History: In 1974, US broker Arthur J Gallagher & Co opened a London operation with the establishment of Gallagher, Hinton & Vereker. This early London operation was created primarily to place and handle Gallagher's US package business for religious and governmental institutions. In 1986, Gallagher committed to developing a full service London broker, and implemented its expansion strategy by acquiring John Plumer & Partners Ltd, a broker specialising in aviation, marine, UK and international property and construction risks.
In 1997, Gallagher acquired a non-marine reinsurance broker, Morgan Read & Coleman Ltd. In 2001, Gallagher acquired MRS Holdings Ltd and Morgan Read & Sharman Ltd, further enhancing its aerospace and aviation reinsurance capabilities. More recently, specialist niche expertise has been developed in areas of fine arts and specie, jewellers block, bloodstock, entertainment, medical malpractice, property and casualty binders and others.
Major shareholders: Arthur J Gallagher & Co
Main lines of business: Marine and non-marine insurance and reinsurance worldwide
Subsidiary companies: Morgan Insurance Services); John Plumer & Co; MRS Holdings Ltd); Morgan Read & Sharman Ltd; Arthur J Gallagher Asia; Arthur J Gallagher Asia PTE Ltd (51%); Risk Management Partners Ltd (50%)
Number of UK employees (2002): 313
Chief officer: Brian King
Biography: Brian King started his career in 1966 as a broker with Leslie & Godwin. In 1972, he moved to Bellew, Parry & Raven. After advancing to director at Bellew, Parry & Raven, King returned to Leslie & Godwin for an additional four years. In 1984 he joined Morgan, Read & Coleman as managing director. In 1997 he led his team of professionals to merge with Arthur J Gallagher (UK) Ltd, and subsequently took over the helm of the London operation in 2000.
Over the years, King has served as a member of the Lloyd's insurance brokers committee, and as chairman of its LIBC reinsurance sub-committee in 2000. In addition, he has served as a non-executive chairman or director of several Lloyd's brokers, and as a director of a number of the Gallagher's subsidiaries.
In 2002, King achieved recognition with his appointment as a vice president of Arthur J Gallagher & Co, Gallagher UK's ultimate parent company.
