Global wholesale and reinsurance broker Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC) says fee and commission revenue grew 13.4% to $US387 million ($499 million) last year.

The company reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $US65 million ($84 million), up 35% on 2013.

CEO Toby Esser says CGSC’s two acquisitions last year “contributed significantly” to the result.

The acquisitions were Australian underwriting agency Epsilon and UK insurance and reinsurance broker Newman Martin and Buchan, which has been renamed CGNMB.

Mr Esser expects a tough year ahead and has flagged further acquisitions. “Many of the markets in which CGSC trades remain tough,” he said. The company will seek “organic growth… and compatible acquisitions, in order to continually strengthen the business”.

In February CGSC’s Houston-based managing general agent JH Blades acquired US wholesale broker Burke-Daniels.