Gallagher expands education practice through M&A

Global broker  Gallagher expanded its education practice with its latest acquisition in the UK.

Gallagher has acquired FE Protect (AT Squared Holdings), an insurance broker specialising in the education sector with a particular focus on further education, where it enjoys a “market-leading” position.

In addition to further education colleges, its clients include independent schools and UK universities, the latter being a market, in which Gallagher has an extensive client base. The business was founded in 2016 and has been privately owned since 2019, following a management buyout. It also operates under the brands Education Protect and Education Protect Scotland.

FE Protect is based in Formby, Liverpool and current directors, Andy Thomson and Alan Tune, plus their employees will continue in their current roles and the business will become part of Gallagher’s public sector and education practice, led by regional managing director Tim Devine.

"FE Protect brings a strong specialist market presence to our UK business," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., chairman, president and CEO. "We are delighted to welcome Andrew, Alan and their colleagues to Gallagher and look forward to working with them to further expand their client base and service offerings."

Devine added: “FE Protect is a brilliant addition to our public sector and education practice and the business dovetails very well with our current education client base. Andrew and Alan have built a great team which really understands the challenges and risks faced by further education establishments so I am delighted to welcome them all to Gallagher. The bringing together of their team with our existing people gives us an enviable springboard for further growth.”

Tune commented: “Becoming part of Gallagher is great news for our clients and people. Gallagher’s reputation for providing clients with a high level of sector expertise, plus its ethical approach matches, how we like to do business, and we are looking forward to joining forces. The UK’s further education sector is already significant in size, and continues to grow, meaning there are many opportunities for us to help protect additional organisations in the sector from the evolving risk landscape that they face.”

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