’The partnership gives us access to a broader insurer panel and valuable support across compliance, sales, systems and marketing,’ says owner
The Broker Investment Group (TBIG)-owned Needham Group has acquired Black Lion Broking Services, a commercial insurance broker based in Walton-on-Thames.
Black Lion Broking Services, which generates approximately £1.5m in gross written premium (GWP), was founded in 2016 and is owned by Simon Church and Lee Walstow.
The acquisition further strengthens Needham’s presence in Surrey and the wider south east, with it now operating from six offices across the UK.
As part of the deal, both Church and Walstow will remain in leadership roles at Black Lion Broking Services.
Church said: “We’re delighted to be joining Needham Group and the wider TBIG network. The partnership gives us access to a broader insurer panel and valuable support across compliance, sales, systems and marketing.
“Walstow and I have spoken to a number of brokers already within the group and have been impressed by the positive feedback on integration and post-deal support. We’re excited about the next stage of our journey and the opportunities ahead.”
Seventh transaction
The acquisition, which was announced on 29 December 2025, represented TBIG’s seventh transaction of the year.
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Dave Clapp, chief executive at TBIG, said: ”We’re very pleased to welcome Black Lion to the TBIG family.
”This marks our seventh deal of the year and with a strong pipeline currently progressing through legal, we’re looking forward to a very strong start to 2026.”
Neal Lowe, chairman at Needham Group, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Black Lion, its team and its clients to Needham Group.
”Black Lion is a fantastic addition to our group and is well positioned to accelerate its growth with the support of Needham and the wider TBIG platform.”
His career began in 2019, when he joined a local north London newspaper after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a first-class honours degree in journalism.
He took up the position of deputy news editor at Insurance Times in March 2023, before being promoted to his current role in May 2024.View full Profile
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