32. Layton Blackham

Fee and commission income (2002): £17.6m

Pre-tax profit (2002): £308,000

Address:
51 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3LZ

Tel: 0870 160 0201

Fax: 020 7632 1092

Email: charles.whitfield@layton-blackham.co.uk

Website: www.layton-blackham.com

History: Formed in 1984 by Chris Blackham in Covent Garden, Layton Blackham has now established itself at the forefront of its chosen market. Layton Blackham launched its "Quantum Leap" acquisition strategy in 1997, and has since acquired 17 brokers. The group continues to seek acquisitive partners and sees huge opportunities for continued profitable growth in the short and medium term. The group currently operates from 12 centres throughout the UK and has 343 staff.

Subsidiary companies: Layton Blackham Insurance Brokers Ltd is an dynamic and innovative general insurance broker targeted toward UK SME commercial, corporate and property business and is a member of the GISC.

Layton Blackham Underwriting Ltd was born in 1988 and now administers a wide range of commercial package policies on behalf of the major UK insurers under the banner of Elite Policies. Layton Blackham Financial Services Ltd provides a bespoke service to our corporate and individual customers and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The group, via CTC Consulting Ltd, also provides training and compliance services to financial services companies. Layton Blackham Business Solutions Ltd was launched in 2003 to provide business partnership, investment and compliance solutions for commercial brokers.

Chief officer: Christopher Blackham

Biography: Prior to entering the insurance business, Blackham taught water-skiing in Europe. He set up Layton Blackham in 1984 in Covent Garden, from where the group still trades.

Major shareholders: Christopher Blackham 76% ords.

Main lines of business: Corporate, commercial package, property owners, high net worth individuals and financial services

Special schemes: Elite Policies - broad range of commercial packages including traders, combined, retail, licensed premises, property owners, blocks of flats and professional indemnity

Number of UK branches: 12

Number of employees (2001): 343