Arthur J Gallagher (AJG) subsidiary Australis Group Underwriting has acquired InterPacific Underwriting, a move that will double the company’s premium income and make it one of Australia’s largest underwriting agencies.

Australis already operates three underwriting agencies in Australia: Galaxy Underwriting, Tasman Underwriting, and CBD Syndicate Underwriting, and is a major producer of Australian business to Lloyd’s.

InterPacific’s Director of Underwriting Chris Harnett has been appointed Australis Director of Insurance Underwriting. His key responsibilities will include managing the combined operations of Galaxy, InterPacific, and Tasman Underwriting.

InterPacific Executive Chairman Roy Ellis says the move is also good news for its customers, giving them access to the resources of an international company.

“We are absolutely delighted to be joining the Australis Group which will enable us to combine the immense resources and security of a global organisation with the flexibility and attention to client detail of a small business and service standards of a small business.” 

Australis says InterPacific has “very little product overlap” with its existing agencies, and gives the group the opportunity to branch out into different areas.