Mid-tier firms excel in London market broker ranking

Marsh, Aon and Howden secured the top three spots in insurance consultancy Gracechurch’s latest London’s Leading Brokers ranking, collectively receiving over half of all individual nominations underpinning the research, alongside WTW and Gallagher.

The report, published on 27 August 2025, combined independent research and over 500 nominations from nearly 250 underwriters and insurers to create an annual ranking of standout brokers in the London market.

The ranking also revealed strong performances among mid-tier broking firms, outside of the aforementioned “Big Five”.

For example, Lockton secured an overall fourth place finish, while Price Forbes (seventh), Miller (eighth) and BMS (ninth) improved their overall ratings year-on-year and secured top 10 finishes.

Gracechurch attributed the improvements in mid-tier firms to strong performances in “specialist areas and client delivery”.

The top 10 list was completed by Gallagher, securing a fifth place finish, and Guy Carpenter, securing 10th place.

Standout individuals

Looking at individuals rather than companies, WTW aviation broker Martin Collins was named by Gracechurch as the top broker of the year.

Darren Lester, managing director at Marsh, and Maxim De Prins, senior vice-president at Lockton, secured second and third place finishes respectively.

Gracechurch’s report – which is now in its fifth year – also highlighted that female brokers continued to grow as a proportion of individual nominations, with Gracechurch noting that this trend continues to “spotlight women brokers [and] showcase successful women as role models in what remains a male dominated sector”.

Ben Bolton, managing director at Gracechurch, said: “London remains the epicentre of global insurance broking.

“This year’s report shows the market’s resilience, adaptability and depth of talent – particularly among emerging and mid-tier firms. The calibre of individual brokers featured this year is as strong as we’ve ever seen.”