Ault Insurance Brokers today announced that it has merged with brokers MJ Pearson, further increasing the company's presence in the West Midlands.

The partnership will retain the Ault name, and will have a combined premium income of £12m per year, the company said.

Ault chairman, Richard Ault, said: “At a time when the insurance broking industry is going through a period of rapid change, I'm delighted that two companies like Aults and Pearsons, who are so strongly rooted in their local communities, can join together to offer their clients an even more professional service.”

He added: “The critical mass we now enjoy as a major, independent regional broker will give us even more influence with the mainstream insurers.”