Higginbotham has entered a strategic collaboration with Charter Energy, an independent Atlanta firm specializing in insurance placement and risk management for energy, heavy industry and private equity clients.
The partnership enhances Higginbotham's specialty capabilities while deepening Charter's hands-on, client-focused approach.
Founded in 1986 by Peter Lunati, Charter Energy was built to provide direct, technical service to clients in coal, oil and gas, as well as industrial sectors. Over the decades, the firm has expanded into heavy industry, construction, private equity and surety, offering access to small and mid-market companies with complex exposures.
Enhanced service and growth opportunities
The collaboration allows Charter to maintain its direct-to-specialist model while leveraging Higginbotham's resources, including enhanced capabilities in safety, loss control and risk management.
According to Marsh Lunati, owner and principal of Charter Energy, the partnership provides the scale to attract talent, expand capacity and maintain the personal service the company is offering.
Collaboration among brokers
The partnership reflects broader trends in the insurance industry, where consolidation and collaboration among brokers are increasingly shaping specialty risk markets.
By combining local expertise with national-scale resources, firms like Higginbotham and Charter Energy can offer more comprehensive solutions to clients facing complex exposures in high-risk sectors. The move also highlights growing demand for integrated risk advisory services, particularly in energy, industrial and private equity markets.
Client-centric approach remains core
Both firms emphasized that growth is driven by client needs rather than internal priorities.
Pete Lunati highlighted that the partnership ensures Charter can continue building its risk advisory platform while providing clients additional depth in service and expertise.
Higginbotham’s backing allows the firm to strengthen its specialty offerings without compromising the direct, technical engagement that has defined Charter’s brand for nearly four decades.
