Background

Origins
The first company in the BMS Group, Ballantyne McKean & Sullivan Ltd, was founded in 1980 as a specialist North American treaty reinsurance broker. Since then the Group has grown both organically and by acquisition and now comprises some 11 London-based member companies and 10 international offices providing a wide range of specialist products and solutions.

Ownership
The founders of BMS had a vision of an organisation capable of sustained independence, with equity shared among key employees and an established process for passing it from one generation to the next in the manner of a professional partnership. Happily that vision has been realised; the BMS Group remains employee-owned today and our independence from the demands of external capital providers allows us to focus exclusively on the needs of our clients, which has enabled us to recruit and retain some of the most talented individuals in the industry.

Business Principles
We do not set out to be all things to all people but rather to concentrate on aspects of risk transfer and risk financing where our specialist knowledge and experience can add value. We strive to combine creativity and competitive edge with the highest ethical standards and attention to detail. We invite our clients to regard us as trusted advisers and business partners, not simply as transactional brokers.

Equally, we understand the importance of maintaining access to the widest range of quality insurers, reinsurers and other solutions providers worldwide.

Since its foundation, BMS has enjoyed a reputation for the highest standards of service in every aspect of the business. This stems from our team-based approach, which ensures seamless delivery from the very first enquiry through to the collection of claims.

Ultimately, we are a business that thrives on personal relationships and whose primary asset is its staff. As an employee-owned organisation, we are fortunate in being able to offer a working environment and a culture that is conducive both to creativity and to professionalism.

We set out to be the employer of choice in our marketplace and are proud that a key element of our investment in the future is in the training and development of our staff.