Aston Lark Ireland acquires Athlone insurance business

Top broker Aston Lark Ireland has announced the acquisition of Gateway Insurance and Investments, a long established Athlone business.

It is reported to be the 12th purchase by the Aston Lark Ireland in just over 15 months, as the business expands its insurance operations nationwide, and this is first franchise move into the Midlands area.

It follows the group’s purchase just last month, of Sparrow Insurances, another local broker with offices in Nenagh, Portlaoise, Thurles and Blanchardstown, and it brings staff numbers across the group to over 300, with 18 offices around Ireland and several others in the UK.

Set up over 40 years ago, Gateway Insurance and Investments, based at Magazine Road, Athlone specialises in the SME sector with an extensive product offering for both commercial and personal customers, including general insurance and financial lines products.

The sale was announced earlier this week by Aston Lark Ireland, who said it had agreed terms to acquire Revoclife Limited, trading as Gateway Insurance and Investments. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

Reacting to the news, Tom Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Gateway Insurances and Investments described the development as “a fantastic development for our clients” and a “proud day” for Gateway whose future is now secure.

“In addition to all our existing services that are principally based around a highly personable service provided through dedicated and knowledgeable account handlers, we now also have access to global markets, a wider product range, and an experienced, similarly focused network of colleagues.

“We can assure our clients and staff that Gateway, in conjunction with its advisers, took great care in selecting our future partnership. It was only after exhaustive investigations that Aston Lark was selected. After over 40 years of servicing our clients, the future of Gateway is now secure.

“This is a proud day for us at Gateway, and I would like to compliment the Aston Lark team for a smooth and honourable transition of the Gateway business to Aston Lark. I would also like to thank our loyal clients and colleagues for their continued support over the years. It’s with complete confidence I guarantee you will be well looked after with the Aston Lark family,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Robert Kennedy, Aston Lark Ireland CEO, said he was delighted to welcome Tom Fitzgerald and the Gateway team to Aston Lark.

“It is another fantastic addition to our growing business in the Midlands further enhancing our capability in the region. Tom and the team’s client and people first approach ensures an excellent cultural fit, and we know that by partnering together the business will continue to prosper and grow into the future benefiting from being part of Aston Lark and Howden.

“We are keen to continue growing and acquiring like-minded brokers in Ireland as we look to deliver on our ambition to become Ireland’s leading independent insurance broker,” he continued.

Aston Lark Limited was formed back in 2018 with the merger of Aston Scott and Lark Group. A year later, it acquired two Irish brokers, Robertson Low and Wright Insurance Brokers. In May 2021, both businesses merged to become Aston Lark Ireland.

Since then they have acquired by CRS Yachts, O’Loughlin Insurance Group, North County Brokers, Brady Burns & Associates, McMahon Galvin Ltd., Principal Insurance Ireland DAC, A.R. Brassington & Co. Ltd, Abbey Murphy Insurance, Marine & General Insurances and J.F. Dunne Insurances.

In April of this year, Aston Lark Ireland. became part of Howden, the international insurance broking group.