Stephen Smith and Matthew Crisp join the executive team
Smith, from Gallagher, becomes Chief Broking Officer. Crisp, from Howden, becomes Group Chief Operating Officer.
An insurance broking, underwriting and risk management group, founded in 1982
James Hallam and Kestrel arrange cover for businesses and private clients. Touchstone underwrites for brokers. London Re and Dashwood work in the Lloyd’s and London market. Seventeen has invested in insurance businesses since 2001.
- 1982James Hallam formed
- 2001Seventeen starts investing in insurance businesses
- 2007Touchstone Underwriting formed
- 2021London Re formed with MRH Trowe
- 2026Dashwood Brewer & Phipps joins in October
The businesses in the group and who each one serves
Insurance for a business or a household, underwriting for brokers, and access to Lloyd’s. Open a business to see who it works with and where to find it.
Formed1982James HallamInsurance broking & risk management
Advice for businesses and private clients, with specialist teams in real estate and construction, events, hospitality and travel, marine, professional risks and healthcare.
For businesses & private clientsVisit James Hallam
Formed2007TouchstoneSpecialist underwriting for brokers
A managing general agent underwriting on behalf of insurers, for brokers placing hospitality and travel, liability and construction, and property and commercial risks.
For insurance brokersVisit Touchstone
Joined2023Kestrel InsurancePersonal & commercial insurance, Isle of Man
Insurance for people and businesses on the Isle of Man, from home, motor and travel to marine craft and marine trades.
For Isle of Man clientsVisit Kestrel Insurance
Formed2021London ReLloyd’s broking from Düsseldorf & London
A joint venture with MRH Trowe, one of Germany’s larger independent brokers, giving EU clients and broker partners access to Lloyd’s and specialist London insurers.
For EU clients & broker partnersVisit London Re
Founded1919Dashwood Brewer & PhippsLloyd’s & wholesale broking
A Lloyd’s broker founded in 1919. It joined Seventeen on 15 October 2026 and keeps its own brand and regulated status, alongside James Hallam and Touchstone.
For clients & trading partnersVisit Dashwood
Already a client? Contact your existing broker or underwriting team for policy and claims support.
Selling or growing an insurance business with Seventeen
Seventeen looks for broking and underwriting businesses with a specialism, risk managers and consultants, schemes and affinity groups, and insurance people with a business plan that needs backing.
Talk to Oliver ThorneAcquisitions in 2026, and how each business joined
Citrus Healthcare and Smith England
Kent and Cheadle
Private medical and corporate risk specialists join the group.
Senate Insurance Brokers
Gibraltar
Joins the group through James Hallam.
Titan Insurance Services
Putney, London
Keeps the Titan brand and aligns with the Real Estate & Construction Division.
Sovereign Insurance Services
Gibraltar
Brought together with Senate under James Hallam.
Dashwood Brewer & Phipps
London, founded 1919
Keeps its brand and regulated status as the group’s Lloyd’s business, with Louis Belcourt as Managing Director.
Dashwood announcement
Some businesses keep their own name and others become part of James Hallam. Sources: Seventeen Group announcements and timeline.
The directors of Seventeen Group
Paul Turner joined Alan Turner in 1982 and helped insure Live Aid and The Wall concert in Berlin. Oliver Thorne leads the group and its acquisitions.
Executive appointments
Paul Turner
Executive Chairman
Oliver Thorne
Group Chief Executive
Ajay Tailor
Chief Financial Officer
Howard Fryer
Chief Trading Officer
Group news from October 2026
All group newsSovereign Insurance Services joins Senate in Gibraltar
The brokerage, formerly owned by Sovereign Group, comes together with Senate within James Hallam.
Talk to Oliver Thorne in the strictest confidence
For a sale, a scheme or a business plan that needs backing, call or email Oliver directly.
oliver.thorne@Looking for insurance?
Choose the business that fits in the directory above, or call the group on 020 7977 7888.
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