US-based Sedgwick Claims Management’s acquisition of global loss adjusting group Cunningham Lindsey is good news for Australian clients, Cunningham Lindsey CEO Asia-Pacific Damon Bennett says.

He told insuranceNEWS.com.au the deal will “significantly enhance” services in Australia thanks to a larger platform and the “different nuances of the services we provide”.

“Sedgwick does tend to invest in and provide technologically innovative services,” he said. “Together with the geographic footprint, there will be big benefits coming to our clients, particularly in [third party] claims administration.

Mr Bennett says it is yet to be determined if Cunningham Lindsey will rebrand.

The acquisition will bring the Sedgwick group’s headcount to more than 20,000 employees worldwide.

Cunningham Lindsey has about 6000 staff in 60 countries, while Sedgwick has about 15,000 in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland.

There are about 700 Cunningham Lindsey staff in Australia.

Sedgwick Group President Michael Arbour says the deal puts his company in an “optimal position” to meet clients’ increasingly complex needs.

“Bringing the incomparable talent, expertise and robust global capabilities of Sedgwick, Vericlaim and Cunningham Lindsey under one umbrella is among the greatest stories to emerge from the claims industry in many years,” he said.

The transaction is subject to conditions and regulatory approvals.