B.P. Marsh & Partners PLC
Date: 6th November 2017
On behalf of: B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc ("B.P. Marsh", the "Company" or the "Group")
B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc
Investee Company Update - XPT Group LLC
B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc (AIM: BPM), the niche venture capital provider to early stage financial services businesses, is pleased to inform the market that, further to the Company's announcement of 19 June 2017, XPT Group LLC ("XPT"), in which the Group owns a 35% shareholding, has acquired Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers, Inc. ("WSS"), the Wholesale Broker and Managing General Agency.
This is the first acquisition made by XPT, as part of its plan to develop a wholesale insurance broking and underwriting agency platform across the U.S. Specialty Insurance Sector. The Group invested in XPT in June 2017 with the provision of $6m of equity funding, alongside XPT Management Team Partners.
Founded in 1981, WSS is a family-owned firm with offices in Dallas and Los Angeles. WSS offers clients a wide range of Property & Casualty insurance products, including but not limited to, a leading bar & tavern program. WSS partners with insurance markets in the U.S. and at Lloyd's.
This acquisition was funded via a proportion of the Group's investment in XPT and via bank financing.
This acquisition demonstrates XPT's ability to take advantage of the significant consolidation opportunities in the small-to-medium-sized wholesale space in the U.S. and it is expected that XPT will undertake further acquisitions over the coming months.
Dan Topping, B.P. Marsh's Chief Investment Officer and the Company's representative at XPT, commented: "We are delighted that XPT has concluded its first acquisition with the completion of the deal with WSS. This acquisition represents the first step in XPT's strategy to develop their presence in the U.S. specialty insurance market."
For further information:
B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc www.bpmarsh.co.uk
Brian Marsh OBE / Camilla Kenyon +44 (0)20 7233 3112
Nominated Adviser & Broker
Panmure Gordon
Atholl Tweedie / Charles Leigh-Pemberton / Adam James +44 (0)20 7886 2500
About B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc
B.P. Marsh's current portfolio contains fifteen companies. More detailed descriptions of the portfolio can be found at www.bpmarsh.co.uk.
Since formation over 25 years ago, the Company has assembled a management team with considerable experience both in the financial services sector and in managing private equity investments. Many of the directors have worked with each other in previous roles, and all have worked with each other for at least five years.
Prior to Brian Marsh's involvement in the Company, he spent many years in insurance broking and underwriting in Lloyd's as well as the London and overseas market. He has over 30 years' experience in building, buying and selling financial services businesses, particularly in the insurance sector.
Alice Foulk joined B.P. Marsh in September 2011 having started her career at a leading Life Assurance company. In 2014 she took over as Executive Assistant to the Chairman, running the Chairman's Office and established herself as a central part of the management team.
In February 2015 she was appointed as a Director of B.P. Marsh and a member of the Investment Committee. In January 2016 Alice was appointed Managing Director of B.P. Marsh.
In her position as Managing Director, Alice is responsible for the overall performance of the Company and monitoring the Company's overall progress towards achieving the objectives and goals of the Company, as set by the Board.
Dan Topping is the Chief Investment Officer of B.P. Marsh, having been appointed as a Director in 2011. He joined the Company in February 2007, following two years at an independent London accountancy practice. Dan is the Senior Executive with overall responsibility for the portfolio and investment strategy of B.P. Marsh.
Dan graduated from the University of Durham in 2005 and is a member of the Securities and Investment Institute and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
Dan is a standing member of the B.P. Marsh Investment and Valuation Committees and currently serves as a Board Director across the portfolio.
Camilla Kenyon was appointed as Head of Investor Relations at B.P. Marsh in February 2009, having four years' prior experience with the Company. She was appointed to the main board in 2011. Camilla is Chair of the New Business Committee evaluating new investment opportunities. She acts as a nominee director and is a standing member of the Investment Committee. She is a Member of the Investor Relations Society.
Jonathan Newman is a Chartered Management Accountant and is the Group Director of Finance and has over 17 years' experience in the financial services industry. Jon graduated from the University of Sheffield with an honours degree in Business Studies and joined the Group in November 1999, following two years at Euler Trade Indemnity and two years at a Chartered Accountants. Jon is a Member of the Chartered Global Management Accountants, the Chartered Management Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.
Jon was appointed a Director of B.P. Marsh & Company Limited in September 2001, and Group Finance Director in December 2003 and was instrumental in the admission of the Group to AIM in February 2006. Jon is a member of the B.P. Marsh Investment and Valuation Committees and currently serves as a Board Director for Walsingham Motor Insurance Limited, and provides senior financial support and advice to all companies within the Group's portfolio as well as evaluating new investment opportunities.
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