Management: Since private equity company Charterhouse backed a management buyout in 2008, the firm under the leadership of chief executive Chris Giles has been highly acquisitive, aiming to jump from medium-sized broker to sector leader.

Strategy: Giles shares the dream of an IPO with Hyperion but faces the same questions: is it big enough to be a liquid stock or will few investors be interested in trading it?

One way forward would be for Giles and its backer, Charterhouse, to open up the company for a trade sale. A mega-broker such as Aon or Marsh might well take the opportunity to increase market share.

Meanwhile, Giles has only spent £168m of the £500m Charterhouse gave it in 2008 to buy smaller commercial brokers. So expect the spending spree to continue.

Big story: In August Giles agreed to buy CBG Group for 32p a share in cash, valuing it at £5.1m. It intends to pay CBG’s chief executive Michael Askew a £200,000 retention bonus, and other key executives will also receive bonuses.

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The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.