Jensten Group has divided itself into two trading divisions and named a new broking chief as it charts an ambitious five-year growth plan, with a stated target to triple the premium managed through its underwriting arm within four years.
The Broking division will span Regional Broking, Specialist Lines & London Markets, and The Jensten Network. A separate Product & Distribution arm will bring together the group's Schemes & Affinity businesses and managing general agent Jensten Underwriting – a structure designed to draw sharper lines between product development, underwriting capability, and distribution.
Gareth Birch (pictured above), most recently managing director for SME and personal lines at Gallagher's UK retail business, has been appointed CEO of Broking effective May 1, pending regulatory approval. He reports directly to Group CEO Rob Organ. The search for a CEO of Product & Distribution is continuing.
Organ said the restructure "reflects the scale of our ambition and our commitment to building a leadership structure that supports consistent growth, accountability, and focus."
Birch described the group as being at "a very exciting point in its development," adding that with Bain's backing and a newly formed Group Board, "this is a fantastic time to be getting onboard."
Bain Capital completed its acquisition of Jensten in November 2025, succeeding previous backer Livingbridge, under which the group completed 37 acquisitions and built its way into the top 10 of UK independent brokers.
Jensten today places more than £650 million in GWP into the market, employs over 1,000 staff across 35 locations, and manages a network of 85 franchise holders.
Bain partner Matt Cannan has spoken of "significant potential to accelerate Jensten's organic growth journey, utilise data for strategic decision-making and add further value by leveraging the company's scale and forming partnerships with insurers" – a mandate that points squarely at Jensten Underwriting as the group's primary growth vehicle.
The appointments follow board-level additions made earlier this year. David McMillan joined as non-executive chair on 1 January 2026, having previously led esure – itself a former Bain Capital-owned business — and held senior roles at Aviva and QBE. Andy Homer, formerly of Brown & Brown Europe, also joined.
On the acquisitions front, early 2026 saw Jensten add Broker One, its first move into the Scottish market, alongside Coversure Dudley and Mediprotect Healthcare.
