Jensten Group has expanded in the North-East with the acquisition of Northern Counties, a commercial broker with offices in Gateshead and Glasgow.
The transaction, which covers both NCinsurance and NCstirling, is subject to regulatory approval.
Northern Counties, one of the largest independent brokers in the region and a founding member of Broker Network, brings a team of 20 professionals to Jensten. With a history spanning more than 50 years, the business will be integrated into Jensten’s Regional Broking Division.
The acquisition of Northern Counties is the first to be announced since Jensten Group confirmed its reinvestment partnership with Bain Capital. As part of the agreement, Philip Belgian will join Jensten as regional managing director for the North-East, continuing to oversee operations in the region.
Rob Organ (pictured above), group CEO of Jensten, commented: “We are so pleased to welcome Philip and the Northern Counties team. This acquisition represents a significant milestone in our ongoing growth strategy and is the first following our new partnership with Bain Capital.”
“This further strengthens our regional presence and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative insurance solutions for our clients. We’re all really looking forward to working with the team and developing our presence in the North-East region,” Organ said.
The North-East has seen increased activity among insurance brokers this year, reflecting a broader trend of regional expansion. Earlier, Brown & Brown (Europe) acquired Sunderland-based 1st UK Broking, a move that expanded its commercial motor insurance portfolio and reinforced its commitment to the region.
The 1st UK Broking team, led by founder Stuart Crosby, will continue to operate from its Sunderland office, maintaining its local focus while gaining access to Brown & Brown’s wider resources and specialisation.
Other firms are also investing in regional leadership to support growth in the North-East. In October, Arch Insurance UK appointed Martin Cleary as Leeds branch manager, tasking him with overseeing operations and broker relationships in the area. Cleary’s appointment is part of Arch’s strategy to strengthen its broker distribution and regional presence in the North and Scotland.
