Acrisure swoops for SME broker expanding Scottish footprint

Global broker Acrisure has expanded its footprint in Scotland through the acquisition of a local insurance broker.

Acrisure has acquired the general commercial SME insurance broker WH&R McCartney based in Motherwell. The company has been operating since 1932 and is led by Graeme Robb and Alan Kirkwood.

Robb and Kirkwood will join the new management team and both offices in Glasgow and Motherwell will continue to trade with all existing staff remaining in place.

Yvonne McKnight, Acrisure managing partner, will join the board of WH&R McCartney whilst continuing to run Glasgow-based Affinity Brokers. Affinity was Acrisure’s first acquisition in Scotland in 2023. Scott Meechan, founder and managing director of Affinity, is expected to focus on the growth of Affinity’s embedded insurance offering. 

Mark McIlquham, president of Acrisure UK retail said: “Establishing a Scottish platform has been a priority for Affinity following their acquisition in early 2023. While they continue to demonstrate their commitment to Scotland and to the strong expertise that exists in the country, Affinity have realised the value of being a part of a global organisation and the resources this provides. With a strong track record in the Scottish market, the acquisition of WH&R McCartney represents the formation of Acrisure’s Scotland platform and marks the beginning of our growth strategy in this region.”

McKnight said: “Graeme, Alan and their team offer valuable expertise for Scottish businesses. Together with Scott, WH&R McCartney make Acrisure’s Scotland platform a formidable proposition with significant growth prospects. They know the Scottish insurance market better than anyone and we want to support them to fully utilise their local market knowledge and focus on growing their total client offerings. I look forward to working with them as we continue the expansion of Acrisure’s Scottish footprint.”

Robb said: “This partnership is an exciting step for WH&R McCartney. Acrisure’s global reach and outstanding reputation combined with Affinity’s and our own local market knowledge will allow us to become the Scottish broker of choice for clients of any shape and size.”

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