Founded in 1997, Hesse and Partner develops risk management and insurance solutions for companies of all sizes in the industrial and service provider sectors, with particular expertise in the growing waste-to-energy sector. The firm is headquartered in Zurich and has a further office in Geneva.
Verbag Versicherungsberatungs AG, a commercial lines, employee benefits, accident and health and high net worth personal lines business based in Rotkreuz, which has been part of Gallagher since its acquisition by Hesse & Partner in 2019, will also now operate as Gallagher.
Clients will continue to have the same day-to-day contacts at the firm, who understand their individual business and insurance requirements, but will benefit from the global scale of Gallagher, its expertise across 34,000 global employees, and increased product choice and buying power.
Vyvienne Wade, Chairperson of Global Broking in Europe, Middle East, & Asia, said: “The Hesse team shares our vision, client focus and entrepreneurial spirit and I am delighted to reach this key milestone. Having the team operating under our leading global insurance brand will give them a strong platform for further profitable growth.”
She continued: “This marks the first time the Gallagher brand has been used in Switzerland and is an exciting step as we continue to expand our European operations. Having an on-the-ground Gallagher team in the strong and stable economy of Switzerland, with its mature and globally significant insurance market will enable us to work more closely with core Swiss industry sectors such as financial services, commodity trading and manufacturing.”
Stephan Bachmann, previously CEO of Hesse & Partner and now CEO of Gallagher’s Switzerland business, added: “Gallagher has been an exceptional partner to us since 2018, and this next step positions us well for further growth in our current areas of expertise, and provides the opportunity to work across broader industries. Becoming fully integrated with Gallagher will ensure clients gain full access to international markets and expertise, and a wider range of products and services, while continuing to receive the same high-quality service from the team they know.”
