The deal is Aston Lark’s first acquisition in the Manchester area

Aston Lark has completed the purchase of Buckland Harvester.

Buckland Harvester is a commercial insurance broker placing over £4m gross premium annually. It services a range of business sectors from construction to technology. They currently employ 15 staff based in their central Manchester office.

The company is led by managing director David Hudson and director Ian Hollas, who will both remain in the business along with existing staff.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs agreed to buy a majority shareholding in Aston Lark from private equity house Bowmark Capital in May, but an Aston Lark spokesperson confirmed to Insurance Times the deal remains outside of the funds provided by Goldman Sachs.

The private equity deal is set to open up opportunities to purchase new types of companies including MGAs, wholesale brokers and networks

History

Buckland Harvester can trace it roots back to 1920 when it was established as WMC Buckland & Co, becoming Buckland Harvester in 2000.

Aston Lark said the acquisition would create new specialisms within its commercial division and broaden client relationships in the North West.

Commenting on the purchase, Aston Lark Group chief executive Peter Blanc, said: “We are pleased with the acquisition of Buckland Harvester and the opportunity to work closely with David, Ian and the team.

“This is our first acquisition in the Manchester area and we see this as a key area in our expansion plans for Aston Lark.

“We are excited to acquire such a long standing brokerage with the same principles as our own, which will help develop and build new client relationships in the North West.

“We have further acquisitions in the pipeline and are keen to speak with other like minded brokers in the area.”

Hudson added: “Having this new relationship with Aston Lark is great news for the company and all our staff.

“Joining such a professional and fast growing business will help us build on our achievements of the previous years and provide our clients an even broader range of products and expertise. We are looking forward to our next stage of business growth with Aston Lark.”

It is Aston Lark’s first deal since April, when it announced the acquisition of Jobson James.

 

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