Global broker JLT Group says it has made “a positive start to the year”.

“We are pleased with our overall trading performance,” bosses told the annual general meeting last week.

In the risk and insurance division organic growth is in line with expectations, while JLT Re’s first quarter has been “particularly encouraging”.

The group says it continues to recruit leading professionals to exploit market opportunities.

International operations are delivering “satisfactory” growth and the integration of UK acquisitions is progressing well.

Recent acquisitions and organic growth will create a more equal spread of profit contributions from the two halves of the group, JLT says.

The company’s financial position “continues to be robust, with a strong balance sheet and extensive committed borrowing facilities with considerable available headroom”.

“We remain confident the group will make financial progress [this year],” CEO Dominic Burke said.

“We have carried our momentum into the new year and we continue to invest for growth in line with our specialty-led strategy.”

Regional CEO Leo Demer told insuranceNEWS.com.au the Australian operations have “continued to build on the successes we enjoyed during the final quarter [of last year]. JLT’s investment in the industry’s top specialists continues to add to our service offering.”

The business has attracted more than 30 new clients in the first quarter of this year, Mr Demer says.