Aston Lark snaps up specialist corporate insurance broking firm

Aston Lark has acquired specialist corporate insurance broking firm Braddons.

Braddons, which was established in 1994 by Steve and Catherine Solly, focused primarily on the construction and real estate sector.

The firm, however, has since diversified into other niche sectors including recruitment, energy, transportation, life sciences, clinical negligence, fintech and financial institutions.

Aston Lark chief executive Peter Blanc said the business was “delighted” that the Braddons team has chosen the broker as its new “natural home”.

He continued: “As our group continues to expand, our strength and breadth of capabilities in specialist corporate insurance and risk management gets ever stronger and this will be further enhanced when we become part of Howden.

“Braddons is a fabulous addition to the group, and we look forward to working closely with the team to continue to deliver the exceptional service standard their clients are accustomed to.”

Two-year hunt

International insurance broking group Howden agreed to acquire Aston Lark from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Bowmark Capital in October 2021. The deal is currently subject to regulatory approval.

Braddons managing director and cofounder Steve Solly said that the company has “sought a broking firm that can provide additional strength” to the business for two years.

He continued: “It is imperative to Catherine and me that the company’s ability to service clients remains uncompromised and at the centre of our business.

“We have very fortunately found that ethos and resource with Aston Lark and Howden, and all of us at Braddons look forward enormously to working with our new colleagues.”