News

Seventeen Group Announces James Hallam in Scotland

Seventeen Group Announces James Hallam in Scotland 1920 1280 James Hallam

James Hallam held a reception in Glasgow for over 100 guest to outline our plans for expansion in Scotland. We originally established our presence in Glasgow in 2009 and now employ over 80 staff in three offices. The Glasgow offices of CCRS and Broker Scotland have rebranded to James Hallam at the end of June and we have a further office in Dumfries on the site of Queen of the South Football Club.

The reception was hosted by Neil Campbell (Regional Director Scotland) and John Dougherty (UK Head of Corporate) and supported by colleagues from the wider James Hallam business including Roy Standish (James Hallam Distribution Director). The team outlined their plans to grow across a range of Corporate and specialist lines of business and to work closely with the Scottish insurer market, many of whom were present at the event. Further acquisition and recruitment opportunities are being considered for the year ahead.

Speaking about the event Group CEO Paul Anscombe commented:
“We are very proud of our growth in Scotland. It is a great country to invest in and offers opportunity for growth. We have been building our team quietly over the years and now feel that we have a strong story to tell as an expanding true independent. In addition to creating local opportunities for staff, a number of colleagues in Glasgow and Dumfries have taken on wider responsibilities within James Hallam and this has strengthened the business overall”

The Champions Group turns one!

The Champions Group turns one! 1920 1280 James Hallam

This time last year the Champions Group was founded by Seventeen Group to drive forward environmental education for staff across the company.

The Champions Group is headed up by board members Paul Anscombe, Diana Bratt and Alan Roe, with representatives joining from offices across the UK.

The main goal of our Champions is to provide vital information about the environment and sustainability to all staff members in an easily digestible way.

Over the past year, the group has met regularly and developed quarterly newsletters in order provide environmental statistics, important and relevant updates and information on projects being run or supported by the group.

With soaring energy costs, weather warnings and potential summer water restrictions, it is important to educate staff on these precious resources and encourage careful usage of them at work and at home.

Seventeen Group is proud to support and encourage multiple projects that benefit staff members and the environment notably; supporting the National Trust by annually planting trees and supplying staff with company water bottles to cut down on their single use plastic use.

Seventeen Group is very proud of all that the Champions Group have achieved in their first year and look forward to seeing how they grow and what they continue to do in the future.

Chartered Insurance Broker Status

Chartered Insurance Broker Status 1920 1280 James Hallam

James Hallam is delighted to announce that our Chartered Insurance Broker Status has successfully been renewed for another year by the Chartered Insurance Institute, we first obtained this accreditation in 2016.

Each firm that holds this status adheres to an ethical code that underpins broader commitments to professional values.

Our corporate chartered status is a public declaration that assures our clients that we put their interests first, invest in the development of peoples technical skills and knowledge and also, support wider initiatives that benefit the society and the growth of the profession.

To learn more about this accreditation and why it is important, please use the following link: https://www.cii.co.uk/membership/join-us/chartered/corporate-chartered/why-choose-a-chartered-firm/

Seventeen Group 2021 Results

Seventeen Group 2021 Results 1920 1280 James Hallam

Seventeen Group is pleased to announce its financial results for the year ending 31st December 2021.

The Group reported a 27% increase in revenue over the prior year from £24.5m to £31.2m and increased EBITDA from £3.57M to £4.82M.

This growth was fuelled through strong trading within both James Hallam and Touchstone with new business income exceeding £4.5M. In addition, there was a partial contribution from acquisitions made during the year, namely Ryan’s, PRS and Christopher Rowe. The figures also include, for the first time, results for London Re, Seventeen Group joint venture EU Lloyds broker based in Germany.

Divisions previously impacted by the Covid pandemic started to show a recovery during 2021. Whilst not fully back to pre-covid levels, the position continued to improve through 2022 and this trend is expected to carry on.

Seventeen Group CEO Paul Anscombe comments as follows:

“We are delighted with our Group performance in 2021. Organic growth was strong and acquisitions made during this period performed ahead of expectations.

Our progress has continued into 2022, with further acquisitions made plus the creation of a new Events team. As a result of our continued growth, we refinanced with Ares during 2022 which provides a long-term capability to make further acquisitions.

These are clearly difficult times worldwide and the insurance market will inevitably be impacted as a result of such challenges. Consequently, clients need risk advice more than ever before from trusted advisers and so we see huge opportunities to grow”.

Seventeen Group Acquires CCRS Brokers LTD

Seventeen Group Acquires CCRS Brokers LTD 1920 1280 James Hallam

Seventeen Group has acquired CCRS Brokers Ltd, with the deal completing on 15th August 2022.

CCRS was established in 2008 by its owner Neil Campbell and today employs 30 staff in Glasgow handling Gross Written Premium of £13.5M.

Seventeen Group Chief Executive comments:

“We have known Neil Campbell and the CCRS business for a number of years and admired the highly professional approach they take with clients. Seventeen Group already has a long- standing presence in Scotland, with our Dumfries office employing 50 staff, but the acquisition of CCRS provides us with a home in Glasgow and a strong foundation to build upon. As a true independent broker, we see further opportunities for clients and staff who value continuity and quality advice.

A further unique opportunity which CCRS brings is The Digital Broker. This is a fantastic tool to manage client data and help support client facing staff to ask the right questions of clients when placing their insurance programme. It identifies relevant risks which clients ought to be considering and provides a trail of such communication”.

Seventeen Group acquires Broker Scotland

Seventeen Group acquires Broker Scotland 1920 1280 James Hallam

Seventeen Group has acquired Broker Scotland Ltd, a property sector specialist broker operating out of central Glasgow and handling Gross Written Premiums of £4.75M.

The business was formed in 2013 by owners Scott and Louise Campbell, who will be remaining with the business in the existing premises alongside the wider team.

Seventeen Group Chief Executive Paul Anscombe comments: “We are delighted to welcome Scott, Louise and the team on board. Broker Scotland is a growing business seeking to develop further. With our recent acquisition of CCRS in Glasgow, we see the two teams working closely together to build our business in Scotland.

Seventeen Group now employs over 350 staff across 12 offices within the UK and has over 80 staff in three locations in Scotland. We are a Chartered Lloyds Broker with a Risk Management team and EU capability through our London Re joint venture based in Germany.

Seventeen Group completes refinancing

Seventeen Group completes refinancing 1920 1280 James Hallam

Seventeen Group has completed the raising of new debt funding with Ares Management. This structure replaces the previous debt funding provided by Beechbrook Capital and provides Seventeen Group with significant increased capability to continue its long-term growth plans.

The arrangement also allows the Group to continue its long-term partnership with Virgin Money.

Seventeen Group CEO Paul Anscombe Comments:

“This is an important milestone for the Group as it provides a long-term funding partnership relationship.

As a leading independent insurance business, it was important for us to continue with a debt based structure. We are owner-managed and focused on the long-term development of our broking and underwriting businesses. Ares are a highly respected financier in our sector who will undoubtedly add value to our business and support our growth.

I would also like to offer our sincere thanks to the team at Beechbrook Capital, who have been supportive throughout, to our advisers Tatsu, and also to Andy Swann, our Group Finance Director, for overseeing the significant work involved when carrying out a review of this nature.

This is the perfect time to have completed our funding structure. The market is producing significant opportunities and we believe that we are well placed as a true independent to capitalise upon these”.

A new Penzance office

A new Penzance office 1920 1280 James Hallam

As part of its ongoing expansion in the Southwest, Seventeen Group’s Cornish team has moved to a larger premises in Penzance.

The move comes with significant changes for the broker; merging the Marine and Marine Trades teams, which will now be known collectively as Everard Insurance Brokers inc. Christopher Rowe. The remaining parts of the business will continue to trade as James Hallam.

Paul Anscombe, CEO, Seventeen Group comments: “The Christopher Rowe team in Penzance are now very much part of our business following their acquisition last year, and the brand change on marine enables them to adopt the highly valued Everard name in this sector. The team is growing and so we took the opportunity to move into exciting new premises close to the existing office, remaining part of the community.”

“Our acquisition of Torbay Insurance Services this year has expanded our presence in the Southwest to Plymouth, Penzance, and Torquay. We have several specialist sectors highly relevant to this region including marine, marine trades, hotels, travel, and fish processors.”

Brendon Ladner, branch manager, Penzance adds: “Having lived in Penzance my whole life, it is great to see a national company recognise the value of having a Cornish office. This is a huge investment within Penzance, and I look forward to overseeing a period of growth, along with being involved and supporting the local community wherever possible. This is also an excellent opportunity for local people to build a professional career with a forward thinking company, whilst living in the most beautiful part of the world.”

Seventeen Group purchase Torbay Insurance Services

Seventeen Group purchase Torbay Insurance Services 1920 1280 James Hallam

Seventeen Group has completed the purchase of Torbay Insurance Services at the end of April. TIS handles £1.4M GWP and is led by John Stott out of offices in Torquay.

Paul Anscombe, CEO of Seventeen Group, comments:

“We are delighted to welcome John and his team on board with Seventeen Group. TIS is not only an excellent local broker in the Torbay area but also complements our South West presence. Our broking subsidiary James Hallam now has offices in Plymouth, Penzance and Torquay through which we can offer a number of our specialist products and services relevant to the South West region including Hospitality, Events, Fish Processors and Marine/Marine Trades”.

The business will continue to operate out of its existing Torquay offices and trade under the TIS brand.

For more information contact Jackie Knight, Head of Marketing and Media Tel 07824 486319
Email Jackie.knight@seventeengroup.co.uk

Newest addition to our Appointed Representative Partnership Programme

Newest addition to our Appointed Representative Partnership Programme 1920 1280 James Hallam

James Hallam welcomes Trelawney Insurance Solutions to their Appointed Representative Partnership Programme

James Hallam Limited (the insurance broking arm of Seventeen Group) are delighted to announce Trelawney Insurance Solutions (“TIS”) as the latest addition to their Appointed Representative Partnership Programme. TIS will continue to provide bespoke solutions to a variety of clients in a number of business sectors from across the South West and beyond, accessing a wide range of insurance companies and Managing General Agencies as well as specialist insurance products via Lloyds of London.

TIS were formed in 2013 and have experienced substantial growth through the provision of excellent, efficient service and sound advice to contented clients. Commenting on TIS’s new direction, Managing Director, Richard Stevens, said ” We are delighted to be in Partnership with James Hallam, one of the UK’s leading independent Insurance brokers, as we know that they share our belief that insurance is not a service for which ‘one size fits all’ and who see the value of offering a personalised and professional service.”

Paul Anscombe, Seventeen Group CEO, said “We are really delighted to welcome Richard and Trelawney Insurance Solutions on board as part of our expanding Partnership Programme. It was very clear from our earliest discussions with Richard that we are very closely aligned culturally and share an absolute focus on client service. Like all our Partners, TIS will undoubtedly add value to the broader Group and I know that in return we can support them in achieving their plans and aspirations.”