Gallagher expands education practice with acquisition

Broker giant Gallagher has acquired MC Mutual Management Services Limited (MCMM) in a bid to bolster its education expertise, a statement released yesterday (11 January 2024) said.

MCMM provides services to Education Mutual Limited, a company that helps UK state schools and academies with staff absence protection.

Gallagher explained schools often face a substantial expense when they need to find and hire temporary staff due to sickness or other absences.

In turn, staff absence insurance has become a popular solution to help schools manage this risk, control their budgets and safeguard against unforeseen costs.

To support Education Mutual in providing such policies, MCMM processes new business quotes, sends out renewal invitations, manages contributions, handles claims as well as other back-office functions.

And products which MCMM administers includes cover for employee leave, for reasons including maternity, adoption, bereavement, ill health and accident, plus jury service.

Tim Devine, regional managing director of public sector, education, communities and housing at Gallagher, said: “We are thrilled that MCMM has agreed to become part of our public sector and education practice.

“The products and expertise in the business are highly complementary to our current education offering and becoming part of Gallagher will provide them with a springboard for growth.”

Integration

Gallagher said the deal would build on the acquisition of FE Protect last year (15 March 2023) and marked continued investment in its public sector and education practice.

Founded in 2018, MCMM is led by director Les Marshall and has 23 employees located in Mansfield and Nottinghamshire. 

Marshall and his team will maintain their current positions as the business integrates into Gallagher’s public sector and education practice.

“Les has built a great team that understands the challenge that staff absence is for schools and the financial damage that can happen when they do not mitigate the risk, so I am delighted to welcome them all to Gallagher,” said Devine.

Marshall added: “Becoming part of Gallagher is fantastic news for our business and people.

”Culturally our two firms are closely aligned – Gallagher is known for its ethical approach and with us fully focused on supporting the needs of a mutual, which is owned by its members, we are confident that we are likeminded thinkers.”