Orchid Underwriters Agency, LLC (“Orchid”), a specialty underwriter of catastrophe-exposed property insurance, announced today that its financial sponsors, led by TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P. (“TowerBrook”), an international investment management firm, have entered into a definitive agreement to sell the company to Brown & Brown, Inc. (“Brown & Brown”), an insurance brokerage firm. The sale comprises all of Orchid’s Managing General Underwriter (MGU) and wholesaling business, along with its High-Net-Worth segment and CrossCover Insurance Services, LLC (“CrossCover”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Established in 1998, Orchid is a leading administrator that represents insurance and reinsurance providers and partners with qualified independent retail brokers and select wholesale brokers. Orchid delivers proprietary and customized insurance solutions for homeowners in coastal zones and for high-net-worth customers. The Orchid management team partnered with industry veteran Scott Hanson to establish CrossCover, which provides Excess and Surplus (E&S) commercial property solutions for customers across the United States.
Orchid and CrossCover will be joining Brown & Brown’s National Programs segment. Orchid and CrossCover will continue to operate as independent entities within National Programs, including maintaining principal operations in Vero Beach and Tampa, Florida and Cypress, Texas.
John Lumelleau, Chairman of Orchid, stated, “We are proud of what we have achieved at Orchid and the carrier support and confidence we earned in doing so. Brown & Brown recognized our continuing success and the value we have built. It is especially gratifying to know that our leadership group that made this possible will have the opportunity to continue growing Orchid and CrossCover as part of the Brown & Brown National Program segment.”
Today’s announcement will help to further advance the company’s strategic growth initiatives that have been developed under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Steve Carlsen, President & Chief Operating Officer Kathy Cody, Chief Financial Officer Michael Garamoni, Chief Underwriting Officer Ross Bowie, Chief Information Officer Carey Smith and in partnership with Scott Hanson, President of CrossCover.
Steve Carlsen added, “The announcement today is a function of the incredible work done by the Orchid team and its sponsors. We are grateful for the financial support and guidance from our partners at TowerBrook and for John Lumelleau’s counsel and mentorship. Orchid and CrossCover have ambitious plans, and we’re eager to join the team at Brown & Brown.”
“On behalf of TowerBrook, I would like to thank the entire leadership team at Orchid for their partnership over the past several years. It has been a pleasure working with them and we are grateful for the significant contributions made by Steve Carlsen and the rest of the management team in developing a number of initiatives that have grown Orchid’s business under our ownership,” said Jonathan Bilzin, Co-Chief Executive Officer of TowerBrook Capital Partners. “We believe Brown & Brown provides the right platform to foster Orchid’s continued success.”
