Ownership Change Pending for Skippers' Plan

A New Chapter Starting Soon for the Skippers' Plan Brand

In the last two days there has been a flurry of announcements and press releases about Arthur J. Gallagher acquiring the majority interest in The Noraxis Group.   This is big news in insurance circles but not for consumers because Noraxis was really an invisible entity to the public.  So how does all this affect Skippers Plan customers?  I'm glad you asked.

 Noraxis is a group of independent insurance brokerages  of which The CG&B Group (present owner of Skippers' Plan) is a prominent member.  Once regulatory approval is received and the deal closes in July the Noraxis brokerages will be merged with the existing operations of Arthur J. Gallagher (Canada) to create the fourth largest insurance brokerage in Canada.   The new Canadian operation will be a division of Arthur J Gallagher  International which is the 4th largest global brokerage.   So as of July 1 Skippers' Plan brand will be owned by one of the top 4 brokerages in the world.   When Skipper's Plan was founded 60 years ago my Grandfather Bill Robertson aspired to reach $200,000 in gross premiums.   He could never have imagined the brand would be owned by a global brokerage like Arthur J Gallagher.

Being part of a global entity like Arthur J. Gallagher may seem like a big change to some.  I  never set out to be part of brokerage the size of AJG but I am extremely excited about our future.    Like Skippers' Plan,  AJG is a family founded organization.   We share the same background, values and entrepreneurial spirit which is a great place to start.  Truly succeeding in business is about more than just the bottom line.  A company that espouses these values is one I am excited about being part of.

After the deal closes my customers will continue to be served by the same competent team of brokers and support staff.    This was true when Robertson & Robertson became part of The CG&B Group  and it will be the same within AJ Gallagher Canada.    When I joined CG&B my clients benefitted from the additional knowledge and products that became available.     Once we become part of AJG the sky is the limit and my clients will benefit from being served by a global insurance network withe the values of a family run business.

Nobody can know for certain what the future holds but the plan is to grow with the same team  and management that brought us this far.  Behind the scenes know that we will continue to develop new products and coverage enhancements but know we are doing it with the knowledge and support of the fourth largest brokerage in the world - Our brokerage.  Our values won't change but  we are going shake up the Canadian insurance market over the next five years.