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  1. Who We Are
  2. Our History

BMS has come a long way.

From a small office with a fax machine in Fenchurch Street to 33 offices worldwide, BMS has achieved so much. But we are only just getting started.

BMS has come 
a long way.BMS has come 
a long way.
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United Kingdom
BMS Group
One America Square, London EC3N 2LS, UK
+44 (0) 2074 807 288
© 2025 BMS Group
1980
1984
1997
2000
2001
2005
2010
2011
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Ballentyn, 
Mckean and 
Sullivan founded.

In 1980, Robert Ewing Fellows Ballantyne, Graham John McKean and David Sullivan founded the independent, employee-owned broking and advisory organisation, Ballantyne, McKean and Sullivan.

Ballantyne, McKean & Sullivan founded.

Ballantyne, McKean & Sullivan is Lloyd’s broker.

Originally a specialist North American non-marine treaty reinsurance broker, it was admitted as a Lloyd's broker in 1984, before beginning a programme of expansion and diversification with the formation and acquisition of several further specialist broking units.

Ballantyne, McKean & Sullivan is Lloyd’s broker.

Harris & Dixon Marine is acquired.

Harris & Dixon Marine began in 1797 and offers market-leading Hull & Machinery, Protection and Indemnity, Charterers Liability and Cargo insurance solutions.

Harris & Dixon Marine is acquired.

Established US market presence.

BMS’s US operation launched in Texas with the acquisition of a 40% stake in Vision Re, a US treaty business.

Established US market presence.

BankServe launched in key hubs.

BankServe has a global client base, with a particular focus around finance and shipping hubs including the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Greece, Norway, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

BankServe launched in key hubs.

Ballantine, McKean & Sullivan gets a new name.

Ballantyne, McKean and Sullivan was renamed to BMS Group Limited.

Ballantine, McKean & Sullivan gets a new name.

BMS Risk Solutions established.

The new division focused on developing comprehensive and innovative Property & Casualty products and solutions.

BMS Risk Solutions established.

First electronic placement at Lloyd’s.

BMS was part of the first ever fully electronic placement via iPad at Lloyd’s, where the traditional Lloyd’s slip became an electronic story.

First electronic placement at Lloyd’s.
2013 - 1 of 2

Nick Cook appointed CEO.

As Group CEO for BMS, Nick has day to day management responsibility for the business and implements the group strategy across our global platform.

Nick Cook appointed CEO.
2013 - 1 of 2

Office opened 
in Sydney.

The office in Sydney was BMS’s first in the Asia-Pacific region.

Office opened 
in Sydney.

Named as Target Markets sole broker.

BMS partnered with the Target Markets Program Administrators Association as the endorsed reinsurance intermediary to the Group and since 2020 remains the exclusive broker.

Named as Target Markets sole broker.

Latin America hub launched in Miami.

Led by BMS Latin America CEO Jose Astorqui, the new hub in Miami formed part of BMS’s strategy to expand in selective international markets and service business from Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Latin America hub launched in Miami.

Acquired Advocate Re Partners.

As part of the continued expansion of BMS’s US platform, the acquisition of Advocate Reinsurance Partners, a privately-held reinsurance intermediary, was a successful merging of cultures.

Acquired Advocate Re Partners.

BMS Iberia is launched.

The new European venture provided BMS with a long-term solution for accessing European business in a post-Brexit world.

BMS Iberia is launched.

Bermuda operations are expanded.

The build-out in Bermuda focused on North American Liability and Property respectively, enhancing BMS’s ability to offer choice and local market knowledge on the island, rather than remotely.

Bermuda operations are expanded.
2019 - 1 of 2

Secured long-term independent future.

The long-term investment by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and Preservation Capital Partners secured BMS’s future as an independent broker while maintaining significant employee ownership.

Secured long-term independent future.
2019 - 1 of 2

PEMAT division led by Tan Pawar.

After identifying a significant gap in the market for tailored products for corporate M&A transactions, Tan Pawar was appointed Managing Director of the new team as BMS expands significantly in this space.

PEMAT division led by Tan Pawar.
2020 - 1 of 2

Acquired Spanish broker Jurado Mata.

Since 1990, Jurado Mata has provided Affinity, Commercial and Personal lines solutions to a range of Spanish clients. BMS acquired Jurado Mata in full, with staff and infrastructure transferring into BMS Iberia. Juan Mata, CEO of Jurado Mata, joins BMS Iberia’s Board of Directors.

Acquired Spanish  broker Jurado Mata.
2020 - 1 of 2

BMS establishes operations in Asia.

BMS Asia initially focused on M&A broking, enhancing the Group’s capabilities in in London, Canada and Australia. It now provides comprehensive reinsurance, wholesale and specialty insurance solutions backed by the global BMS network.

Established operations in Asia.
2021 - 1 of 4

BMS launched 
in Turkey.

Headquartered in Istanbu,l BMS Sigorta ve Reasürans Brokerliği A.Ş (BMS Turkey) is led by Chairman Servet Gurkan, with Tamer Saka and Kerim Gurkan, and reports in to Peregrine Towneley, Chairman of International Operations.

BMS launched 
in Turkey.
2021 - 1 of 4

BMS establishes operations in Brazil.

BMS Brasil Corretora de Resseguros Ltda (BMS Re Brazil) is established with headquarters in Sao Paulo. Confirmation of BMS Re Brazil’s licence was published in the Official Gazette on 27th September.

BMS establishes operations in Brazil.
2021 - 1 of 4

BMS Re launched 
in Bermuda.

The operations in Bermuda marked an important step in expanding BMS Re’s global footprint.

BMS Re launched 
in Bermuda .
2021 - 1 of 4

BMS Re acquires PWS Mexico.

Acquired in full, with staff and infrastructure transferred in. Mario Rochell, President of PWS Mexico and Gabriel Iñesta, CEO, will report into Aidan Pope, Executive Chairman & CEO of BMS Re Latin America & Caribbean (LAC).

BMS Re acquires PWS Mexico.
2022 - 1 of 6

Neil Prior appointed Group Head of ESG.

Neil leads BMS’s environmental and social initiatives, driving key changes and commitments to establish the company as a market leader in financial services.

Neil Prior appointed Group Head of ESG.
2022 - 1 of 6

Louisa Erwin is new Group Head of DEI.

Louisa Erwin is responsible for designing and delivering a regional DEI strategy in close partnership with executive leadership, as well as regional and global human resources teams.

Louisa Erwin is new Group Head of DEI.
2022 - 1 of 6

BMS enters surety and treaty markets in Mexico.

BMS acquired Calomex, a Mexico City-based specialist reinsurance broker that delivers solutions to Mexican surety providers, with treaties typically placed into the Miami, Continental European and London markets.

BMS enters surety and treaty markets in Mexico.
2022 - 1 of 6

Eisenar acquired in Iberian expansion.

The Spanish specialty insurance broker Eisenar specialises in industrial risks and professional sports insurance. It also has expertise in Hotel & Restaurants insurances, Agriculture insurance (agroseguro), Surety, Renewable Energies, Cyber, Construction and Manufacturing Solutions.

Eisenar acquired in Iberian expansion.
2022 - 1 of 6

Australian SRG Group acquired.

SRG is a leading Australian corporate retail broker operating in Perth and Queensland, providing award-winning insurance brokerage services since 2005.

Australian SRG Group acquired.
2022 - 1 of 6

Ian Gormley becomes UK CEO.

Ian is responsible for the continued growth and expansion of the company's capabilities in London and Bermuda across all Specialty lines both insurance and reinsurance

Ian Gormley becomes UK CEO.
2023 - 1 of 7

Australian Coast to Coast acquired.

Austbrokers Coast to Coast was founded in 1982 and specialises in transport, construction, hazardous goods, and SME retail.

Australian Coast to Coast acquired.
2023 - 1 of 7

GARD acquired, including Ale underwriting.

GARD Insurance PTY LTD was founded in 2015 and provides public and products liability & associated professional indemnity insurance to a diverse range of businesses from SMEs through to multinational businesses.

GARD acquired, including Ale underwriting.
2023 - 1 of 7

Bluebook acquired, based in Brisbane.

Bluebook brokerage was founded in 2018 and offers tailored insurance broking, risk management and claims handling services.

Bluebook acquired,  based in Brisbane.
2023 - 1 of 7

KNW acquired by BMS Re.

KNW is a Brazilian reinsurance broker with deep expertise in providing tailored reinsurance solutions to its clients on traditional and specialised segments like Energy, Property, Construction, Marine, Clinical trials and Fine Arts.

KNW acquired by BMS Re.
2023 - 1 of 7

Smith & Reid LTD acquired.

This Canada-based insurance broker provides expertise in specialised lines of business, including Construction, Real Estate portfolios, Oil and Petroleum distribution and Auto dealerships.

Smith & Reid LTD acquired.
2023 - 1 of 7

Completed Eurazeo investment.

The investment signalled our commitment to further accelerating growth across Eurazeo’s trading divisions; enhancing its digital, analytics and modelling capabilities, and further reinforcing its ability to deliver exceptional solutions.

Completed Eurazeo investment.
2023 - 1 of 7

Viafina acquired in Iberian expansion.

Viafina focuses on surety and credit solutions, serving a diverse client base across Spain and Portugal. This move strengthens BMS’s global specialty capabilities and marks a strategic entry into a high-growth European market.

Viafina logo
2024 - 1 of 6

Acquisition of Berns Brett Masood.

Berns Brett Masaood (BBM), a prominent UAE-based broker established in 2007 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, specialises in the Energy, Institutional, and Affinity sectors, serving corporate and government clients.

Acquisition of Berns Brett Masood .
2024 - 1 of 6

Contract Builder adopted as part of digital strategy.

Contract Builder seamlessly integrates into BMS’s existing Broker Workbench, empowering its teams to merge risk models and legal documents with precise, compliant, and auto-populated data, starting the slip assembly process.

Contract Builder adopted as part of digital strategy.
2024 - 1 of 6

Global healthcare division launched.

The division provides solutions and guidance to healthcare providers and their insurers, with access to BMS’s broad range of insurance, reinsurance and risk management services and products.

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2024 - 1 of 6

Brad Melvin is CEO & President, Re US.

Brad leads BMS Re’s US operations with a focus on delivering strategic goals and driving growth across its MGA, regional specialty, facultative reinsurance, healthcare and capital solutions and advisory lines.

Brad Melvin is CEO & President, Re US.
2024 - 1 of 6

Bacchus launched for wine producers.

BMS Bacchus is a stock throughput solution designed to protect wine across all stages of production, storage and transit, from harvested grapes to finished product.

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2024 - 1 of 6

David Roberts & Partners acquired.

Founded in 1977, DR&P is firmly established as one of the fastest growing UK brokers and is listed as one of the UK’s leading independent insurance broker.

David Roberts & Partners acquired.

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