Bain Capital has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jensten Group, a UK-based commercial insurance distribution platform, from Livingbridge. The deal, made through Bain Capital’s dedicated insurance investment platform, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 1986, Jensten has evolved into a multi-channel distribution business serving small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK. The group operates across retail, wholesale, and managing general agent (MGA) segments, managing around £600 million in gross written premium (GWP). It has completed 37 acquisitions to date—14 of which stemmed from its franchise network—and employs over 1,000 staff across 50 locations.
Robert Organ, CEO of Jensten Group, described the acquisition as the next phase of the company’s rapid transformation. “We are proud of the business we’ve built with Livingbridge and our teams across the UK. With Bain Capital’s backing and deep sector experience, we’ll continue to attract new talent, expand our product offering, empower our brokers, and strengthen our position as a leading independent broker in the UK market,” Organ said.
Advisers on the transaction included Continuum Advisory Partners, Travers Smith, and Deloitte for Jensten; Macquarie Capital, Proskauer Rose, Weil Gotshal & Manges, PwC, and Oliver Wyman for Bain Capital; and Jamieson Corporate Finance and DLA Piper for management.
Strategic Growth and Recent Activity
Jensten has been among the UK’s most active consolidators in recent years. In November 2023, it acquired One Broker Group, adding £60 million in GWP, 115 staff, and a regional hub in East Anglia. In April 2024, it secured £170 million in new borrowing facilities from LGT Private Debt and Bridgepoint Credit, alongside support from Livingbridge, to drive further expansion.
Throughout 2024, Jensten also added Chris Knott Insurance Consultants, Robert Gerrard & Co, and Asprey Harris to its portfolio, pushing its workforce beyond 1,000. Other acquisitions, including Henry Seymour & Co (Salon Gold) and Melville Burbage, brought in more than £20 million GWP while strengthening the group’s schemes and affinities expertise.
Bain Capital’s Broader Insurance Strategy
The Jensten acquisition marks another significant step for Bain Capital in the UK insurance sector. Earlier in 2025, the firm announced the sale of esure to Belgian insurer Ageas for £1.3 billion, a deal expected to create one of the UK’s top three personal lines insurers upon completion in the second half of the year. Bain Capital has also taken a minority stake in The Openwork Partnership, further reinforcing its commitment to insurance and financial services investments.
Industry Impact: Consolidation and Innovation
The acquisition highlights two accelerating trends in the UK insurance market: the consolidation of independent brokers into larger, private equity-backed groups, and the growing focus on technology, data, and digital distribution.
For brokers, Jensten’s continued expansion under Bain Capital’s ownership signals intensified competition from well-capitalised consolidators. For insurers, the deal underscores the strategic importance of distribution platforms with scale and specialist expertise. For MGAs, it demonstrates how investor support can drive regional expansion and product innovation in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
