Gallagher has announced its acquisition of Bridge Insurance Brokers and said the deal had received regulatory approval. Bridge was set up in 1970 and the family-owned firm focuses on real estate, construction, corporate and private client insurance. It has offices in Manchester and London and employs a team of around 110 people.

Bridge’s leadership team will remain in place following the acquisition and the broker will become part of Gallagher's UK and Ireland retail business.

Nick Harris, CEO of Gallagher's UK and Ireland retail division, said: “Bridge is a fantastic business that further strengthens our commercial footprint in the UK and we are delighted to welcome over 110 new colleagues to Gallagher.

“The firm is a corporate broker with a long-established trading history and a strong presence across several specialist sectors, in particular real estate and construction, where Gallagher already has a significant presence, so it is highly complementary to our existing operations.”

Roger Potts, CEO of Bridge Insurance Brokers, added: “Even with its huge scale, Gallagher retains a close family feel and its strong emphasis on culture, collaboration and commitment to exceptional service aligns perfectly with our own values. This partnership presents an incredible opportunity for our specialist teams to bring together their respective expertise and deliver even greater value to our clients.”