Farmington Hills’ Kaufman Group Acquires Barbican Protect in London

Farmington Hills-based H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of insurance companies, has acquired Barbican Protect Ltd. in London as part of its expansion into the United Kingdom. Previously of Barbican Insurance Group, Barbican Protect will rebrand as Burns and Wilcox, also in Farmington Hills, and join H.W. Kaufman Group London.
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H.W. Kaufman Group, a network of insurance companies, has acquired Barbican Protect Ltd. in London. // Stock photo

Farmington Hills-based H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of insurance companies, has acquired Barbican Protect Ltd. in London as part of its expansion into the United Kingdom. Previously of Barbican Insurance Group, Barbican Protect will rebrand as Burns and Wilcox, also in Farmington Hills, and join H.W. Kaufman Group London.

Kaufman is the parent company of Burns and Wilcox. This is the fourth acquisition by Kaufman in the U.K. in the past seven years. Barbican Protect specializes in commercial property, casualty, financial lines, and marine, focusing on regional retail brokers across the U.K.

“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 Kaufman. “Barbican Protect has created a unique and dynamic position supporting insurance brokers throughout the U.K. with a solid, successful operating model.”

Stuart Kilpatrick, managing director of Barbican Protect, has led the company for 10 years after serving as divisional manager for U.K. property and casualty and client relationships manager at ACE Europe. Kilpatrick will lead Burns and Wilcox as managing director and will report to James Stevenson, managing director of H.W. Kaufman Group London.

“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,” Stevenson says. “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.”

Barbican Protect will operate in the H.W. Kaufman Group London office and in Manchester, England as Burns and Wilcox.

Kaufman was founded in 1969. It has more than 60 offices across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. and has more than 2,000 employees.