BDH Group appoints new CEO

Gordon Crosbie has been appointed Group CEO of newly re-branded BDH Group, Premierline’s parent company.

Gordon was at the Ardonagh Group for 12 years before setting up his own consultancy, prior to being appointed non-executive director at the Group earlier this year by Blixt Group, owner of BDH.

His first task is to oversee a restructure of the Group as it positions itself to deliver a mix of organic and inorganic growth during the next three years.

He said that BDH Group (formerly Academy Insurance Services) will be split into three operating segments: Premierline (which was acquired from Allianz in March 2024), AIB (acquired in October 2024), and BDH Insurance Broking.

Lancaster-based Premierline will distribute SME, AIB will write niche personal lines including HNW and high performance and high value car, while BDH Insurance Broking will focus on corporate and large commercial business.

The Group is headquartered in Reading with four other offices around the UK and employs 175 people.

Simon Bennett, currently Deputy Managing Director, will become Commercial Director with responsibility for growing the business across all three segments.

Brendan McCafferty, BDH Group chairman said:

“Gordon is a hugely experienced individual, combining strategic nous with drive and determination.”

“He is the right person to lead the business through the next phase of its journey and I am confident that, with Gordon at the helm, and ably supported by Simon, BDH Group will be in a good position to deliver long term value for our insurance partners, our customers, our people and our investor.”

Gordon Crosbie said:

“We are now well-set to deliver organic growth across our three divisions. Presently we write a combination of 35% niche personal lines and 65% commercial, but in the medium term we expect to see the balance move to a higher commercial balance as we grow our Account Executive proposition.

We are also actively seeking inorganic growth in the broking division, where we believe we have a compelling offer for vendors looking to create value from their life’s work.

We avoid a volume approach to acquisitions, preferring to offer vendors bespoke propositions which suit their personal circumstances, including nurturing and developing their people.”

Gordon said that the Group also has ambitions to move into the MGA sector, as well as employee benefits.

“Our investor sees the strategic value of a portfolio business, our M&A offering is slightly different to many of the larger players, this seems to provide advisors with a good alternative option for their Broking clients. In addition, we have a good pipeline of inorganic opportunities in these areas too.

It’s a really exciting time to be joining BDH Group. I am impressed by the dedication and focus of our people, and now that we have set out a clear direction for the Group, I am relishing the opportunities provided by this new challenge.”

He said that a new website is planned to go live in early September, following a series of ‘town hall’ meetings at the Group’s offices across the UK, where he’ll set out his vision for BDH.

About Gordon

Gordon Crosbie spent six years in a variety of senior positions at Ardonagh Advisory, including head of M&A in the North of the UK (2023-2025), and on the Exec Board as UK Integration director (2019-2023). A broking ‘lifer,’ he joined the family business, Crosbie and Jack Insurance Brokers, working his way up to become CEO, before selling up in 2009. He joined Towergate as RMD North England, Scotland & NI in 2011.