HKMB acquires Toronto, Vancouver operations of Morris & Mackenzie

HKMB International Insurance Brokers, a privately held commercial insurance broker, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Toronto and Vancouver operations of Morris & Mackenzie Inc.

HKMB hopes to integrate both offices into its own during 2007 Q1.

“The acquisition of Morris & Mackenzie’s Toronto office builds on our well-established foundation with that market,” said HKMB president Gregory Belton in a press release. “The purchase of [the] Vancouver business gives [us] an important local presence in Western Canada and new opportunities for expansion.”

Aviva Canada helped in the transaction, which included the merger of Morris & Mackenzie’s Quebec operations with Dale-Parizeau L.M.

“Aviva Canada’s president and CEO, Igal Mayer, was instrumental in bringing the parties together in such a manner that everyone came away a winner,” HKMB CEO Neil Morrison said in a statement. “We appreciate Aviva’s assistance in taking our business forward and its ongoing support of the independent broker.

“We are very excited about our new Toronto and Vancouver-based colleagues joining the HKMB family”

HKMB has annual written premiums above US$300 million. It provides risk management and insurance services across Canada and worldwide.