Arthur J Gallagher buys E&O expert to expand US affinity business

Insurance brokerage and risk management firm Arthur J Gallagher has acquired the California-based National Ethics Association (NEA) to expand its affinity business in the US.

Following the deal, NEA’s president and chief operating officer (CEO) Japheth Smellie, along with his workforce will continue to operate from their Southern California office, under Gallagher's North American affinity operations head Kevin Garvin.

NEA specialises in errors and omissions (E&O) coverage for its members, including insurance agents, investment advisors, real estate agents, tax preparers and book-keepers.

"NEA is well-known for its strong errors and omissions program and for providing its members with high-quality products and services. They also share the same strong ethical values and culture as Gallagher," said J Patrick Gallagher, Jr, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Arthur J Gallagher.

"Their solid membership and insurance carrier relationships, national presence and depth of expertise in the E&O insurance space make them an outstanding addition to our expanding US affinity operations.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Japheth and his NEA team to our growing family of Gallagher professionals," he added.