US insurance giant Arthur J Gallagher has acquired a Kent-based insurer this week for an undisclosed amount.

Evolution Underwriting Group, established in 2004, is an agent which provides commercial insurance products and services aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.

It delivers these through a network of independent retail brokers.

Chief executive Paul Upton will continue to run the company from its base in Allington, Maidstone, under the direction of Mark Armitage, managing director of Arthur J Gallagher’s UK MGA operations.

It is the second time Arthur J Gallagher has made headlines in the county this week, after its chief executive David Ross was poached for the same role at Maidstone-based rivals Towergate.

Chairman, president and chief executive J Patrick Gallagher said: “This is a good example of how we continue to find great new acquisition partners that fit well within our UK platform and add to our client capabilities.

“Evolution is well-known for its strong commercial insurance expertise, solid broker relationships, efficient technology-enabled processes and dedication to the highest quality client service.

“Their team’s strong service culture and entrepreneurial spirit are a natural fit with Gallagher, and their expertise in using technology to transact with smaller brokers and their clients will be a great complement to our existing UK commercial underwriting operations.

“We are pleased to welcome Paul and his associates to our growing Gallagher family of professionals.”