Profiles
37. LAYTON BLACKHAM GROUP
WESTON HOUSE
246 HIGH HOLBORN
LONDON WC1V 7EX
TEL: 0870 160 0201
FAX: 020 7415 3910
EMAIL: LB@LAYTON-BLACKHAM.CO.UK
WEBSITE: WWW.LAYTON-BLACKHAM.COM + WWW.LAYTON-BLACKHAM.COM
FEE AND COMMISSION INCOME (2004): £19.91m
PRE-TAX PROFIT: £1.25m
NUMBER OF UK BRANCHES: 17
NUMBER OF UK EMPLOYEES: 435
CHIEF OFFICER: CHRIS BLACKHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1984
HISTORY
Formed in 1984 by Chris Blackham in Covent Garden, Layton Blackham has established itself at the forefront of its chosen markets.
Continued growth of both income and profit has been, and will continue to be, achieved primarily by investment in new business sales, selective acquisition and the success of the Layton Blackham Business Solutions initiative.
Layton Blackham has completed 19 broker deals in the last six years and has further deals in the pipeline.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDER
Chris Blackham.
MAIN LINES OF BUSINESS
UK corporate; commercial and property, affinity group and high net worth home and motor; personal financial planning; employee benefits; elite policies underwriting agency offers a broad range of commercial packages including traders combined, retail, licensed premises, property owners, blocks of flats and professional indemnity
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Layton Blackham Insurance Brokers, Layton Blackham Underwriting (elite policies), Layton Blackham Business Solutions (LBBS), Layton Blackham Financial Services, Layton Blackham Investments, CTC Consulting.
CHIEF OFFICER BIOGRAPHY
Chris Blackham set up Layton Blackham in 1984 in Covent Garden from where the group still trades.
From humble beginnings the group has gained a reputation for innovation and professionalism throughout the industry and has grown rapidly to its current position by a mix of strong organic growth coupled with a selective acquisition strategy.
The result to 31 December 2004 is particularly pleasing in view of the costs incurred as a result of the group's increased investment in compliance and training and preparatory work for FSA regulation in 2005, coupled with the effect of the softening general insurance market.
Of particular note during the period was the growth of Layton Blackham Business Solutions and the development of its offering, which resulted in a 50% year on year increase in revenue and the prospect of continued growth in 2005.
Although the group is predicting tough trading conditions in both the general and financial services markets in 2005, it will continue to drive new business sales and expects to produce continued growth in both turnover and profits in 2005.
Following completion of the group's acquisition of Anchor (UK) on 1 June 2005, Layton Blackham will look for further opportunities to selectively acquire compatible businesses.
Blackham was born in West Kirby on 17 April 1958 and he now lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife and three children. In the spare time he has, he plays golf off of a 15 handicap.
