Aston Lark Group has acquired Innovation Broking.
Innovation Broking, founded by Paul Dickson and Howard Pearson and based in London and Watford, is a corporate insurance broker and employee benefits consultant. The company employs 30 people and specialises in higher-risk investments, global programmes, and private equity-backed ventures. Innovation specialises in technology, health, film and television, as well as charities and care.
Aston Lark CEO Peter Blanc says: “I’ve known Paul Dickson for many years, and his reputation in the market is outstanding, both as an expert Insurance Broker but also as a leader. He and Howard have built Innovation Broking into a renowned business in just six years, employing fantastic talent from top to bottom. I’m delighted to welcome the whole team into the Aston Lark fold and look forward to working with Paul and his colleagues as they continue to build a unique corporate proposition.”
Innovation Broking CEO Paul Dickson says: “I am delighted that Innovation Broking has agreed to be acquired by Aston Lark, which is now to become part of the Howden Group. This will provide an outstanding platform for the continued growth of our corporate broking business, and in turn, provide great opportunities for our people.
“Peter Blanc and I have known each other for many years, and I have enormous respect for his leadership of Aston Lark, which in common with Innovation, places people and their development at the forefront of its business. Innovation has grown into a great business in the last five years, and this is thanks in part to our backing from Albion Capital, which has supported us since our formation. I’m also very excited that Innovation will be heading up a corporate practice unit as part of Aston Lark’s retail division, and we will continue to build on our specialisms in the tech, emerging risks and the charity and care sectors. I am also very pleased to be asked by Peter to chair Aston Lark’s broking and benefits companies from early 2022.”
Albion Capital Group managing partner Will Fraser-Allen says: “We identified a compelling investment case for Innovation Broking and its corporate broking model, focussed as it is on high-end Board level engagement with clients that had more complex insurance needs. I have known Paul for many years, and Albion Capital is delighted to have backed Innovation from day one through to this hugely successful sale to Goldman Sachs-backed Aston Lark, which recognises the outstanding quality of Innovation and its team.”