Davies looks to move to insurance legal services sector

Insurance service provider Davies is gearing up to move in to the insurance legal services sector following the  acquisition of law firm Keoghs.

Davies has received regulatory approvals from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the transaction has been completed. Keoghs chief executive John Whittle and the wider Keoghs management team have become shareholders in the enlarged business.

Following the deal, Whittle will head up legal solutions for Davies and join the group executive committee.

Davies said that the deal supports its objective of deepening its capability and domain expertise across its insurance and highly regulated market segments.

Keoghs is a provider of dispute resolution and risk services for the UK insurance industry across, including motor, casualty, complex and specialty classes. The firm manages more than £1 billion worth of insurer claims and resolves in excess of 100,000 claims per annum, according to Davies. Keoghs operates a defendant-only model, and works in partnership with insurers, MGAs, brokers, corporates and the public sector.

“We are thrilled to get this deal over the line," said Dan Saulter, group chief executive of Davies. "Many of our insurance clients are seeking to work with fewer strategic partners, and to build long term relationships across a range of services to support their growth and delivery. We must also continue to invest in technology and innovation. In Keoghs we find a team who share our vision and I look forward to working hard to ensure we deliver.”