North of England P&I Association (North) and Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Company Limited (SMMI) merged to form the North Group on Friday 28 February 2014 following approval by the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulatory Authority and other U.K. and overseas regulators.
The merger between two of the longest-established and most successful international marine insurance businesses - both of which are based in north-east England - has created one of the largest global marine insurance operations, with a premium income of over $500 million, free reserves of $350 million and total assets of $1,500 million.
North Group has been over two years in the making, starting with a strategic alliance between North and SMMI in January 2012. Following completion of due diligence the companies signed a merger framework agreement in December 2013, which both sets of members approved in January 2014. Full integration of the two operations is now underway based on a strategy to enhance, diversify and improve all aspects of the combined business.
North Group is chaired by North’s chairman Pratap Shirke, who said, "Combining our business interests has created one of the largest global marine insurance operations, providing enhanced financial stability for members, a greater diversity of product lines, continued service excellence and a stronger competitive position. The North Group has the ability to service the needs of the entire marine spectrum, from small fishing vessels to the largest ships."
Joint managing directors of North Group are North’s joint managing directors Alan Wilson and Paul Jennings. SMMI directors Trevor Hart and Peter Johnson and SMMI chief executive Geoff Parkinson have joined the North Group board.
According to Shirke, "The merger combines North’s international portfolio of high quality, larger tonnage with SMMI’s wide spread of high-volume, small-tonnage risks and aquaculture expertise. Together we will offer a more diverse product range, identify and develop new sources of business income and provide greater levels of service and security to all our shipowner members and policyholders."
SMMI will remain an independent regulated company within the group called Sunderland Marine, working under a parental guarantee to provide enhanced capital support. "Though no longer a mutual, we will retain our mutual ethos of providing the best possible service to policy holders," said Sunderland Marine chairman Hart.