McLarens buys Crawford's specialist adjuster in growth strategy

Loss adjuster McLarens has acquired Crawford & Company-backed specialist energy loss adjuster Lloyd Warwick International (LWI), in a move to expand its complex natural resources capabilities and increase market presence in major claims management, litigation support, and arbitration & mediation.

Crawford, a provider of claims management solutions, has sold its 51 percent of shares in LWI. The company said that the sale was a "strategic decision" as LWI was the only loss adjusting brand in the company’s portfolio that stood separate from Crawford and its sale simplifies the company’s operations.

LWI is a global multi-disciplined loss adjusting and claims management company with expertise in complex onshore, offshore and renewable energy claims, with a focus on the energy, marine, mining, power generation, renewables and special risk sectors. Headquartered in London, LWI serves its global clients through offices in the UK, Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and South Africa.

LWI will merge with McLarens’ natural resources specialties services and will retain its head office in London. The combined group will continue to conduct business under LWI’s brand and be led by Joe McMahon, chairman of LWI. Matthew LeBrun will join the group as head of natural resources in the Americas to lead its planned expansion, reporting directly to McMahon.

McLarens said LWI is a "strong strategic fit" that aligns with its strategy to strengthen technical services and multi-disciplinary consulting capabilities in natural resources verticals.

“The acquisition will help accelerate our growth and innovation,” LeBrun. “Our goal is to bring together our experience, talent and strength into a unified organization to accelerate further growth. The combined specialty practice will be the global leader in the Natural Resources loss and claims management.”

Gary Brown, CEO at McLarens, added: “The Lloyd Warwick International name, like McLarens, is globally recognized and associated with quality, technical expertise, and the best loss adjusting and claims management service. The company has a leading reputation in the energy and oil market internationally, which will transform McLarens’ footprint in the natural resources sector. Together, we will advance our strategy of offering a broader depth of loss adjusting and technical services, a wider range of insurance consulting solutions, and an enhanced ability to serve major complex claims in the onshore and offshore energy market.”

Joe McMahon, chairman at LWI, said: “The LWI team welcomes the acquisition and is delighted to join the McLarens family of companies. Two leading loss adjusting and claims management brands just got stronger. The quality of work and technical expertise that McLarens fosters is complementary to our practice. We share a similar set of values and beliefs – to provide market leading insurance consulting services by utilizing excellent communications, state of the art technology, and proven technical knowledge of our talented adjusting staff. I am excited and look forward to partnering with McLarens on building our combined loss adjustment and claims management business.”

Andrew Bart, president of Crawford Global Technical Services, commented: This sale allows us to simplify our loss adjusting brand structure and take a One Crawford approach to the market. We remain committed to the energy sector and will now operate solely under the Crawford brand. Our focus on being the best experts for the most complex claims remains unchanged as we continue to deliver on our mission to restore and enhance lives, businesses and communities.”