The Needham Group completes the acquisition of Black Lion Broking Services in seventh TBIG deal of 2025

The Needham Group completes the acquisition of Black Lion Broking Services in seventh TBIG deal of 2025.

The Needham Group, part of The Broker Investment Group (TBIG), has acquired a 100% stake in Black Lion Broking Services Ltd, a commercial insurance broker based in Walton-on-Thames.

The acquisition represents TBIG’s seventh transaction of 2025, underlining the Group’s continued momentum as one of the most active investors in the UK regional broking market.

Black Lion Broking Services, which generates approximately £1.5m in gross written premium (GWP), was founded in 2016 and is owned by Simon Church and Lee Walstow, both of whom will remain in leadership roles following the acquisition.

The deal is a strong strategic and geographic fit for The Needham Group, which already operates offices in Weybridge and Petersfield. The acquisition further strengthens Needham’s presence in Surrey and the wider South East.

The Needham Group now operates from six offices across the UK and has written £8.5m GWP in 2025.

Dave Clapp, CEO of The Broker Investment Group, comments:
“I’m delighted that Neal and the Needham team have continued to strengthen their local presence and customer offering with this acquisition.
We’re very pleased to welcome Black Lion to the TBIG family. This marks our seventh deal of the year, and with a strong pipeline currently progressing through legal, we’re looking forward to a very strong start to 2026.”

Neal Lowe, Chairman of The Needham Group, comments:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Black Lion, its team and its clients to The Needham Group. Simon and Lee have built a highly loyal client base and an excellent reputation across Surrey and beyond.
Black Lion is a fantastic addition to our Group and is well positioned to accelerate its growth with the support of Needham and the wider TBIG platform.”

Simon Church, owner of Black Lion Broking Services, adds:
“We’re delighted to be joining The Needham Group and the wider TBIG network. The partnership gives us access to a broader insurer panel and valuable support across compliance, sales, systems and marketing. Lee and I have spoken to a number of brokers already within the Group and have been impressed by the positive feedback on integration and post-deal support. We’re excited about the next stage of our journey and the opportunities ahead.”