Seventeen Group has announced the acquisitions of Citrus Healthcare and Smith England Insurance Brokers into James Hallam, its UK retail division, adding £12 million in gross written premium to the group.
Citrus Healthcare, a specialist private medical brokerage founded in 2010 by Richard and Claire Bamford and based in Kent, is expected to strengthen James Hallam’s Employee Benefits division, according to a news release. Smith England Insurance Brokers, led by Nigel Smith and headquartered in Cheadle, serves corporate clients through a risk management-led approach and is expected to support the group’s growth across the North-West of England.
“We are very excited to be joining Seventeen Group and to be part of a growing and forward-thinking organisation. We look forward to contributing to and enhancing the Employee Benefits division as we move ahead together,” Richard and Claire Bamford, founders of Citrus Healthcare, stated.
Nigel Smith, of Smith England, said his firm was drawn to James Hallam’s culture and values. “We were attracted to James Hallam by their governing principle ‘to do the right thing’; the fact that directors are insurance brokers; our common belief in providing a professional local service, and the active encouragement for staff to be qualified,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to service our valued clients as part of James Hallam and using our North-West of England location to build the James Hallam business and brand in the region.”
Oliver Thorne, chief executive of Seventeen Group, said the two firms brought complementary expertise to the group. “We are thrilled to welcome the Citrus and Smith England teams to our business. Their specialist knowledge perfectly complements our existing capability, adding distribution and expertise to our group. In return, we provide support, investment, and operational expertise to the leadership teams, enabling them to maintain their entrepreneurial spirit and achieve their long-term growth aspirations.”
No financial terms beyond the combined gross written premium figure were disclosed.
Notable activity for Seventeen Group throughout late 2025 and into early 2026 included strengthening its presence in the North-West and North-East of England and expanding its specialist services for corporate clients, including risk management and employee benefits solutions.
