ICIB Brokerweb Group has expanded its operations with the acquisition of Canterbury-based The Southern Group.
The move is part of the firm’s strategy to strengthen its expertise in business insurance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
On March 10, The Southern Group, founded by financial adviser Ryan Beswick (pictured), confirmed that it has officially become part of ICIB Brokerweb Group.
Beswick, who previously served in the military before moving into financial services, said the acquisition will allow him to focus on helping SMEs with business protection strategies.
“Joining the ICIB Brokerweb team gives me the opportunity to do what I love, which is helping SMEs with shareholder protection and key person insurance programmes,” he said, noting that many small businesses are businesses are particularly vulnerable in their early years, so it is important they have protections in place for key personnel.
ICIB Brokerweb Group’s head of life and health southern, Kathy Pascoe, said Beswick’s expertise in shareholder protection aligns with the firm’s broader risk management services.
“Shareholder protection is quite a specialist area of Life & Health insurance. Having someone of Ryan’s calibre on board to help our clients plan for the future of their businesses is a real string to our bow. It is also a natural complement to the other Life and Health insurance solutions we currently offer,” she said.
ICIB Brokerweb Group has also acquired Christchurch-based Connect and Grow Ltd, announced in February.
The firm, which has operated for more than seven years, was founded by Kerstin Bain, who has over 30 years of experience in the insurance sector. Bain will now serve as employee benefits growth and development manager at ICIB Brokerweb.
“Our clients are now able to be helped by a great team of people from the employee benefits team, to personal, and business insurance advisers. In addition, clients can access the expertise of the general insurance team providing a more streamline service,” she said.
