Seventeen shopping spree continues with motor trade expert acquisition

Broker Seventeen Group has acquired Sheffield and North East-based East Pennine Insurance Consultants (Epic) in a continuation of its acquisitive journey. 

Epic controls £6.1m of gross written premium (GWP), employs nine staff and trades as Fletcher Smith in Sheffield and North East Insurance Brokers in the North East.

Seventeen said that the acquired broker has a “strong presence” in the motor trade sector and would become a “centre of excellence” for this line of business within the group, while also creating new opportunities in the north of England for both Seventeen and its broking subsidiary James Hallam. 

The broker’s purchase follows quickly afterSeventeen Group’s recent purchase of Wisemans Insurance Services and North West Risk Solutions earlier this month (6 June 2024) and continues an acquisitive trend for the broker this year.

Yorkshire expansion 

Seventeen Group chief executive Paul Anscombe welcomed the Epic team – including directors Steve Brooke and Simon Walton – to the business.

He added: “This is our first acqisition in Yorkshire and so represents a huge opportunity to build our presence going forward. 

“We have achieved significant success in developing other regional businesses across the UK and Epic creates additional value through its extensive motor trade knowledge and experience.”

Speaking to Insurance Times previously about Seventeen’s growth strategy, Anscombe explained: “Seventeen Group continues to grow both organically and via acquisition. 

“We are committed to a long-term future as an independent, with several specialist areas of focus and a strong regional presence.

“As a group, we are slowly expanding our international capabilities in order to both provide a greater geographical reach for our clients and also to support our growing international broker network.”