Management AdvisoryCompany SalesCompany Acquisitions

Acquis Insurance Management agrees sale to NSM

Deal Overview

  • Advised Dunedin and Management
  • Cross-border transaction
  • Long-term approach

Momentum Corporate Finance is delighted to announce its latest transaction. Acquis Insurance Management (“Acquis”), Europe’s leading provider of specialist insurance programmes to the asset finance market, has today announced it has agreed to be acquired by NSM Insurance Group (“NSM”), a global leader in specialty insurance with more than $1.5B in premium across 25+ niche insurance programs, subject to regulatory approvals in the UK, Netherlands and Austria. For over 30 years, NSM has specialised in investing in a broad portfolio of insurance companies in the U.S. and Europe.

Momentum Corporate Finance acted as lead advisor to the shareholders of Acquis.

This deal marks the conclusion of a highly successful MBO. We advised the Acquis management team as they undertook an MBO in 2019, backed by specialist private equity investor Dunedin LLP. Subsequently, Acquis was able to accelerate its growth plans, tripling the size of its work force, acquiring 46 customers, launching 50 additional insurance programmes and increasing turnover by 47% within three years. This new investment will ensure Acquis is well placed to achieve its growth ambitions, expanding its solutions and services in existing and new territories.

Nick Leader, CEO at Acquis, said: “This investment from NSM Insurance Group marks a significant opportunity for Acquis to meet the increased demand we are witnessing for our products, and to continue to develop our market-leading insurance solutions for the asset finance market.

“NSM is a perfect fit for Acquis, they understand our market and are as ambitious about our growth potential as we are. This deal will enable the continued development of our people, processes and systems and will allow us to galvanise our growth plans. NSM’s confidence in Acquis is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in building the company we are today.”

Rob and Matt did a tremendous job for all shareholders at Acquis having been closely involved every step of the way from before the buyout four years ago. This was a complex cross border transaction that required Momentum’s attention to detail, communication skills and a tenacious approach to managing all parties. Dunedin is extremely grateful for the strong guidance provided by Momentum that has enabled all shareholders to achieve an exceptional outcome and for Nick and the team at Acquis to find a perfect partner for the future to support international growth.

Mark Ligertwood, Partner at Dunedin LLP

It was a pleasure having Rob, Matt and the Momentum team alongside us throughout our MBO and our sale to NSM. Their advice, support and guidance was invaluable throughout, from the investment from Dunedin to the proposed acquisition by NSM and the four years in between. Having worked with them at both sides of the private equity lifecycle, we wholeheartedly recommend the Momentum team to any management team evaluating their strategic options.

Nick Leader, CEO at Acquis

 

Since we founded Momentum in 2005, a key factor of our success has been based on guiding exceptional management teams through all stages of the complex MBO lifecycle, from securing investment to eventual exit. We are delighted to have been involved in the original MBO backed by Dunedin right through to this exit to NSM. Its success is testament to the talent, drive and tireless efforts of Nick and his management team supported by an ideal partner in Dunedin, and we are delighted to have helped all of the shareholders achieve an exceptional result.

This is the third deal since the start of 2022 where we have advised on the exit of a private equity backed business where we have been involved throughout the entire MBO lifecycle, highlighting our long-term approach and ability to maximise value in a range of transaction scenarios.

Rob Crews, Partner at Momentum Corporate Finance

Deals

Momentum advises Kinneir Dufort on their sale to SteriPack

Deals

Momentum advises the shareholders of DVS on their sale to Midwich Group plc