A chance meeting has led to a match between J Bennett & Son and DG Carr & Co, creating a powerful new independent insurance brokerage for the South East. The companies both specialise in commercial and high value specialist personal insurance and bring together a team of 16 professionals with outstanding industry knowledge and professional capabilities.

The merger was agreed in September last year when Peter Dowlen, director of J Bennett & Son, then celebrating the 100th anniversary of its foundation, met Peter Sutcliffe, sole proprietor of DG Carr & Company, at an insurance industry conference. The companies, both based in High Wycombe, have discussed the feasibility of joining up for some time but this was considered the ideal moment to make the move.

Trading since February 2009 as J Bennett & Son (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, the merged company’s directors each has over 30 years insurance experience. Peter Sutcliffe, who joined the board at the time of the merger, assumes responsibility for the personal lines account. His appointment adds impetus to the company’s programme of expansion through organic growth and acquisitions.

Managing Director Simon Bennett explained that employees from both companies were successfully working together at J Bennett’s prestige offices at The White House in High Wycombe High Street and that the integration of administrative operations and client business had been seamless. “This is our fifth acquisition in the past 20 years and we have been pleased to mark our centenary with a deal involving a respected firm like DG Carr & Co. Peter and his staff are making an invaluable contribution to the business and we are very confident about the future. While the current economic climate is challenging, our joint expertise puts us in an excellent position to go forward.”

For further information about J Bennett & Son’s products and services, please visit www.jbennett.co.uk or phone 01494 450450.