Curran celebrates 50 years with four acquisitions

PB Curran has bought four independent brokerages in the region as it continues its push for growth.

The York firm has agreed deals for R Butterfield Insurance Brokers, based in Boston Spa, TCR Swiffen of Skipton, Bolan Dale of York and Neil Readman Insurance, based near Pocklington.

PB Curran, a commercial insurance broker, moved from its central offices three years ago to Osbaldwick, east of York, in order to help its growth plans.

The firm was set up in 1961 by the father of Edward Curran, today’s managing director. It now has 23 staff.

Edward Curran said: “The challenge for such a long established company has been to find a way to grow without losing our traditional values of personal service.

“We pride ourselves on the fact that we don’t operate call centres and we pick up new business as a result of dealing direct with clients.”

PB Curran and members of its broker alliance, Westinsure, arrange more than £300m of insurance premiums each year.

It offers commercial, landlord and personal insurance as well as risk management services. Its commercial insurance clients range from small shops to large multi-national manufacturers.

The insurance industry in Yorkshire has seen a series of deals completed since the onset of the credit crunch.

Henderson Insurance Brokers, which is based in York, has made a series of acquisitions including deals for Denney O’Hara (Life and Pensions) and Denney O’Hara for an undisclosed figure last year.

The Insurance Partnership, which is based in Hull, has grown to 180 staff, and opened an office in Leeds as part of its expansion strategy.

Bradford church insurance giant Congregational & General also took a minority stake in David Edwards Insurance Brokers, based in Solihull.

Now PB Curran has taken on more staff after a spell of expansion and a re-organisation – Maureen Parker and Andrew Johnson have joined the commercial insurance team and Dawn Johnstone was hired as the firm’s office manager.

Mr Curran said: “These appointments will ensure we continue to have the necessary resources in place to service our growing client base.”

The value of the four deals in North Yorkshire has not been disclosed.