Ardonagh Group half-year earnings increased as growth in the specialty and international divisions was underpinned by acquisitions and the performance of existing operations.

Income rose 37% to £595 million ($1.03 billion) and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 21% to £186 million ($322 million), the UK-based company reported.

Specialty income jumped 102% following the acquisition of Besso Insurance, Ed Broking and Piiq Risk Partners and ongoing hires, while Ardonagh International grew 69% fuelled by expansion in Australia, Ireland, Germany and the US.

“These results reflect the strength of our business model, with presence across multiple product lines, industries and geographies providing natural resilience and opportunity,” Group CEO David Ross said.

Ardonagh International comprises the European business and Ardonagh Global Partners, which includes Australian broker Resilium and investment business Ethos Broking Australia.

The group, which also has advisory and retail divisions, says it had £683.3 million ($1.18 billion) in available liquidity as of June 30.

Ardonagh was valued at $US7.5 billion ($1.18 billion) in December as part of a significant equity investment led by existing long-term shareholders Madison Dearborn Partners and HPS Investment Partners. Results were presented on a comparable basis for the six-month period.