Markerstudy Group has bought Blagrove Insurance Brokers.

The acquisition marks Markerstudy's first foray into commercial motor.

The entire Blagrove team has been retained.

Oxfordshire-based Blagrove has a GWP of £4m and was founded in October 2004.

Markerstudy chief executive Kevin Spencer said: "We believe that the broker market offers tremendous opportunity and we will continue to grow the retail arm of our business, headed up by Russell Bence.

"My opinion is that the commercial motor market shows signs of hardening rates, providing us with even greater impetus. I warmly welcome the new staff to Markerstudy Group."