HSB completes acquisition of structural warranties specialist, MD Group

• HSB (UK and Ireland) has completed its acquisition of UK structural warranties and building surveying specialist MD Group, which includes the well-known Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty brands
• Together HSB and the MD Group will provide unique construction insurance and engineering expertise in the UK

HSB and MD Group will create a strong risk management-led specialist group of companies

HSB (UK and Ireland) today announced the completion of its purchase of the MD Group of companies, including its managing general agent, MD Insurance Services Ltd and its well-known Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty brands.

The acquisition of the MD Group supports HSB's UK growth ambitions by expanding its insurance offerings within the UK construction sector to create a strong engineering-led specialist organisation focused on a risk management-led approach.

"I'm delighted to be welcoming our MD Group colleagues into our HSB family," commented Stephen Worrall, CEO, HSB (UK and Ireland). "This is a great acquisition as it supports our mutual future ambitions and strategy for growth. The combined businesses enhance our strength as a specialist insurer and risk solutions partner."

The MD Group will continue to operate from Birkenhead and Jacki Goodman will remain as Managing Director, reporting into HSB's CEO, Stephen Worrall, in the new organisational structure. Also joining the MD Group boards of management will be HSB Finance Director, Anya O’Reilly.

Stephen Worrall continued: "Together, we will build on our strong products, technical expertise and customer service to provide a greater range of solutions to customers."

Jacki Goodman, Managing Director of MD Group, added: "Today marks the beginning of an exciting future for MD Group. We have worked hard to achieve our success and our unwavering commitment to serve the construction sector led us to our position as a leading player in the latent defects insurance market. Becoming part of HSB is both a reward for these efforts and testimony to our ability, reputation, and potential to realise even greater success. We look forward to making our mark together and helping customers build the quality new homes our country needs."

HSB has had a relationship with the MD Group since 2012, providing specialist machinery inherent defects insurance and, latterly, primary insurance capacity for its inherent defects insurance facility. Entering its 25^th anniversary year, the MD Group is a leading provider of structural warranty, building control and other insurance services to the construction sector across the UK.  

Based in Birkenhead, the MD Group has 443 employees, including a national network of field-based building surveyors.

The deal is part of HSB Group's global acquisition strategy to further expand its insurance, engineering and technology expertise.