Insurance Times understands Marsh is in talks to make its first acquisition since Bluefin in 2016

Marsh is reportedly in talks to make its first acquisition in 18 months.

Insurance Times understands that the broker is holding talks to buy Scottish independent broker, Clark Thomson.

It would be Marsh’s first acquisition since November 2016, when it bought Bluefin from AXA for £295m.

According to sources, Perth-based Clark Thomson is interested in a sale and Marsh appears to be the perfect fit.

The Scottish broker has been approached for comment.

Clark Thomson has shown steady organic growth. EBITDA was at over £1.5m in the year ending 31 March 2017, compared to £1.04m for the same period in 2016.

The acquistion would help expand Marsh’s footprint in the Scotland, a region where it has already shown an appetite to expand with the acquisition of Aberdeen-based Central Insurance Services in 2014.

A spokesman for Marsh said the company did not wish comment on market rumour or speculation.

In 2017, Marsh was named the top broker in the Insurance Times Top 50 broker list.