Farmington Hills’ H.W. Kaufman Group Acquires Barbican Protect to Expand UK Presence

H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of insurance companies headquartered in Farmington Hills, has acquired Barbican Protect Ltd., which has offices in London and Manchester, England.
1237
H.W. Kaufman Group office
H.W. Kaufman Group has acquired England’s Barbican Protect Ltd. // Photo courtesy of H.W. Kaufman Group

H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of insurance companies headquartered in Farmington Hills, has acquired Barbican Protect Ltd., which has offices in London and Manchester, England.

This is the fourth acquisition by Kaufman in the United Kingdom in the past seven years, as the company follows a strategic growth plan that expands its expertise and resources to serve a growing base of international clients.

Once the acquisition clears regulatory scrutiny, Barbican Protect – which specializes in commercial property, casualty, financial lines, and marine insurance – will rebrand as Burns and Wilcox and join H.W. Kaufman Group London.

“Barbican Protect’s leadership in risk solutions adds a powerful resource to the Burns and Wilcox underwriting platform as we expand in the U.K. and build the capacity to continue to grow globally,” says Alan Jay Kaufman, chairman, president, and CEO of H.W. Kaufman Group. “Barbican Protect has created a unique and dynamic position supporting insurance brokers throughout the U.K. with a solid, successful operating model. We welcome the firm to the Kaufman family.”

Stuart Kilpatrick, managing director of Barbican Protect, has led the company for 10 years. He will become managing director of Burns and Wilcox and will report to James Stevenson, managing director of H.W. Kaufman Group London.

“The strength of our longstanding relationships and technical underwriting expertise has allowed Barbican Protect to successfully grow and develop over a number of years,” says Kilpatrick. “Kaufman’s investment further enables us to continue that momentum under the Burns and Wilcox brand, and become an even more valuable partner to our insurance brokers, their clients, and insurance partners.”

Stevenson says, “This strategic acquisition will continue to provide choice and expertise for our insurance brokers at a time when consolidation and withdrawal of markets is becoming commonplace. “Barbican Protect’s strength of expertise fits well with H.W. Kaufman Group’s companies, as they also focus on their niche sectors and markets.”