This week’s biggest M&A stories

Starting off the week, advisory firm MarshBerry said the UK insurance distribution M&A market for H1 2025 had ended “with a whimper”.

June represented another slow month for deal activity in H1 2025, meaning that the first half of this year has been the slowest half since H1 2019 for insurance broker and MGA M&A. 

• UK insurance distribution M&A has ‘slowest half year’ since H1 2019 – MarshBerry

Then, US-based insurance distributor CRC Group entered into an agreement to acquire Lloyd’s insurer Atrium Underwriting.

Atrium manages Syndicate 609 and writes specialty insurance and reinsurance across property, casualty and specialty business groups. It generated £950m ($1.3bn) in gross written premium (GWP) in 2024.

• US-based distributor agrees to acquire $1.3bn GWP Lloyd’s insurer

Following this, JMG Group purchased London-based Profile Insurance Services – its 50th acquisition since its 2020 management buyout.

Founded in 1997 by managing director Melanie Burns, Profile Insurance Services is a broker that was initially known for its niche expertise in placing cover for high net worth footballers.

• JMG Group achieves milestone as it acquires London-based broker

And after that, PIB Group revealed it had walked away from negotiations surrounding an acquisition.

In a statement, the broker said that it had “made a decision to end recent acquisition conversations” and is “appreciative of the attention it has received in the market”.

• PIB Group ends Gallagher sale talks and reveals £400m debt raise