December 23, 2022

BMS Group, the high growth independent specialty insurance and reinsurance broker, announces that a definitive agreement has been entered into with Eurazeo for an additional investment in the business. Existing shareholders British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), Preservation Capital Partners (PCP), management and staff will continue to be invested in the business. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

In the period 2019 to 2022, revenues at BMS have increased from c.£100m to more than £250m. BMS has made eight acquisitions over the past three years, the most recent being Eisenar in Spain. Staff numbers have risen by over 70% to c.900 people across specialty and reinsurance disciplines. BMS has also recently strengthened the leadership team including Nick Gillett (CEO, Int.), Eliot Powell, (Group CCO), Louisa Erwin (Group Head, DEI), Ian Matheson, (Chair, Canada), Chris McDowell, (CEO, Bermuda), Ted Hodgkinson, (Chair, Asia).

Operating across 14 countries, with 28 offices this additional investment announced today will enable an acceleration in BMS’ pace of growth across its core trading divisions as well as focused investment to continue to deliver exceptional results for clients.

BMS’ management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Nick Cook, will all remain in their roles following completion of the transaction, and management and staff of BMS will remain significant shareholders in the company.

Cook said: “At a time when the macro-economic environment is causing headwinds for some, this investment is testament to the extraordinary growth and expansion we have delivered for several years and the confidence we have in our strategy to expand as a global independent specialty insurance and reinsurance broker. BMS has attracted immense attention over the past few months from global investors as we looked to position the business for an exciting future. The global reach of Eurazeo will undoubtedly help us in our ongoing expansion alongside the continue support of BCI and PCP. I am delighted to welcome Eurazeo, a prestigious listed global partner.

“Our culture and our dedication to recruiting and nurturing the very best people in the market is unique and steadfast. We are a home for top-flight, talented people with expertise, innovation, and who have entrepreneurialism at their heart. This ethos is a clear differentiator for our clients and runs to the core of everything we do.

“With our track record of organic double-digit growth, this investment, at a market leading valuation, has created the opportunity to scale this business with increased vigour and confidence. We have countless opportunities ahead of us in our specialty and reinsurance divisions. We now have three long-term capital partners who back BMS’ strategy and vision and, crucially, its continued independence.

“Our partners and our leadership team are committed to investment in our business and people to provide a market leading client service reinforced by data, digital and analytics. This is an exciting time for BMS, and I am grateful to all my colleagues at BMS who have driven our group success over the past few years. I could not be prouder of the achievements of the whole team.”

Maxime de Bentzmann, Managing Director, Eurazeo – Mid-large Buyout, commented: ”We have been exploring specialty insurance and reinsurance markets for some time and are delighted to have found, in BMS, another perfect opportunity to partner with a successful, global business with numerous transformation levers. Their shining record over recent years, under the leadership of Nick Cook and his management team, is one we admire, and we are genuinely excited to join forces to support their future success.”

“As a long-term investor, BCI is pleased to continue our significant investment in BMS, a market-leading company with a demonstrated track record of strong growth,” said Dave Hong, Senior Managing Director, Private Equity at BCI. “We are excited to partner with BMS management, Eurazeo, and PCP in the next phase of this journey, and to continue creating value for our pension plan and insurance fund clients.”

Jatender Aujla, Managing Partner, PCP, commented: “We are excited to welcome Eurazeo as a long term shareholder in BMS alongside PCP and BCI. BMS is one of the largest investments PCP have made to date and, thanks to Nick Cook and his superb team, it has been a phenomenal investment to date with revenue and EBITDA tripling, resulting in a 3.5x uplift in valuation since our investment in 2019. As a long term investor we remain committed to helping the team continue their ambitious growth strategy.”

BMS were advised by Evercore, BMS Capital Advisory and Macfarlanes LLP.

For further information please contact:

BMS

Haggie Partners

Peter Rigby, Ben Abbotts, Olivia Fatkin-Kane

Tel: + 44 20 7562 4444

bms@haggie.co.uk

 

BCI

Olga Petrycki

Director, External Stakeholder Engagement

Tel: +1 778-410-7310

media@bci.ca

 

About BMS Group

BMS Group is a leading independent specialist (re)insurance broker. For 40 years, BMS has provided comprehensive, customised solutions in the fields of wholesale, reinsurance and direct insurance, and capital advisory through our teams of experts. Today, this experience and expertise, served with a spirit of creativity, allows BMS to offer a full range of integrated services. Designing individual, tailored solutions makes BMS the risk and capital management advisor clients want to work with time and again.

For more information about BMS please visit www.bmsgroup.com

About Eurazeo

Eurazeo is a leading global investment company, with a diversified portfolio of €32.4 billion in assets under management, including nearly €23.2 billion from third parties, invested in 530 companies. With its considerable private equity, private debt as well as real estate and infrastructure asset expertise, Eurazeo accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its nearly 400 professionals and by offering deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term.

Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Milan, Madrid, Luxembourg, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore and Sao Paulo.

Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.

ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA

About BCI

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is amongst the largest institutional investors in Canada with C$211.1 billion under management, as of March 31, 2022. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and New York City, BCI is invested in: fixed income and private debt; public and private equity; infrastructure and renewable resources; as well as real estate equity and real estate debt. With our global outlook, we seek investment opportunities that convert savings into productive capital that will meet our clients’ risk and return requirements over time.

BCI’s private equity program actively manages a C$24.8 billion global portfolio of privately held companies and funds with long-term growth potential. Leveraging our sector-focused teams in business services, consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications, we work with strategic private equity partners to source and manage direct and co-sponsor/co-investment opportunities.

Follow BCI on LinkedIn

About Preservation Capital Partners

Preservation Capital Partners (PCP) is a London based specialist private equity firm focused on investing in high growth financial technology and services business across Europe. PCP was founded in 2017 and manages c.$1Bn of assets under management. PCP also have investments in Optio, Parmenion, Saltus and HBC.

For more information, please visit www.preservationcp.com