• Market-leading marine and transportation Risk and Insurance broking resources in South Africa
  • Acquisition adds scale to JLT South Africa and boosts JLT SA's presence in Durban

Jardine Lloyd Thompson ('JLT'), one of the world's leading providers of insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits related advice, brokerage and associated services, has today announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Eikos Risk Applications (ERA) from Eikos Holdings (Pty) Ltd part of the Eikos Group.

ERA provides specialist marine, transportation and logistics risk consulting and broking services within the cargo, liability and credit insurance space to corporate SA. They also handle a significant book of pleasure craft and small commercial vessels. The business consists of three core divisions in Freight, Cargo and Hull and employs 40 staff in offices in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

ERA's founders established what is now the Eikos Group in 1999. The team has built a strong reputation within the South African insurance and freight industry as a unique risk services provider and is now considered one of the leaders in the market. Through the combination of alternative risk transfer structures and their marine specialty expertise, they have gone beyond supplying products to helping their clients drive their commercial performance.

Andrew Chislett, JLT Middle East and Africa's regional Chief Executive, said: 'This acquisition confirms the scale and momentum we have in JLT South Africa. ERA's strategy and culture are a great fit with our own focus on delivering products and services tailored to the client's needs, in contrast to a trend towards commoditisation in our sector. Their focus on excellent client service has attracted some of the leading marine insurance practitioners in the country. I'm particularly pleased that this sound business fit is matched by a good geographic fit, accelerating our strategy of building JLT's presence in Durban.'

Hugh Reimers, MD of ERA, said: 'The team here is excited by the fantastic opportunity joining JLT represents for us and for our clients - JLT is a company we know and respect, not least for sharing our own dedication to putting the client first, with specialist expert advice and tailored risk solutions. Combining our South African operations creates a business of scale and substance in South Africa, and provides a platform from which we can promote our speciality into Southern Africa and indeed further afield.'

- ENDS -

ENQUIRIES:

Grant Crompton

Head of Marketing, JLT South Africa

T: +27 11 361 0000

Paul Dransfield

Head of Group Corporate Communications JLT Group

T: +44 20 7528 4933

NOTES TO EDITORS: About Jardine Lloyd Thompson

Jardine Lloyd Thompson is one of the world's leading providers of insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits related advice, brokerage and associated services. JLT's client proposition is built upon its deep specialist knowledge, client advocacy, tailored advice and service excellence. JLT is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and owns offices in 40 territories with more than 10,600 employees. Supported by the JLT International Network, it offers risk management and employee benefit solutions in 135 countries. For further information about JLT, please visit our websitewww.jlt.com

About JLT South Africa

Jardine Lloyd Thompson South Africa (JLT SA) is a corporate and specialist insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits broker with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. For further information about JLT South Africa, please visit our websitewww.jlt.com

About Eikos Risk Applications (ERA)

ERA is one of South Africa's leading marine and credit insurance brokers as well as a prominent transportation and logistics risk consulting company. ERA manages one of the largest marine-broking portfolios in South Africa and offers tailored risk solutions for various sectors of the freight industry. The company is widely recognised within the insurance and freight industries as a unique risk service provider.

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