Key Takeaways
- Bridgepoint Group acquired Preservation Capital Partners.
- Sector: Financial Services & Fintech.
- Geography: Germany.
Analysis
Bridgepoint, the European private equity firm managing over €30 billion, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Hanseatic Broking Center (HBC), an independent SME+ insurance distribution and MGA platform in the DACH region, from Preservation Capital Partners. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2025, following standard regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Founded in 2022 through the merger of multiple specialty brokers and MGAs, HBC has already quadrupled its EBITDA through a combined strategy of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. The platform now serves over 40,000 clients across multiple insurance lines and generates more than one-third of its revenue from its MGA operations, which specialise in niche sectors such as marine, travel, cyber, and property.
HBC’s leadership, led by Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Gert Schlossmacher and CEO and Co-Founder Hauke Martinsen, brings over 60 years of combined insurance expertise. With Bridgepoint’s backing, HBC aims to integrate commercial broking and underwriting capabilities on a unified platform and accelerate growth not only in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland but across European markets.
Recent HBC acquisitions include portfolio additions such as travel-focused MGA LTA, boat hull broker Schomacker, and property specialist Schinner, strengthening its cross-line capabilities—each deal cementing HBC’s position as a consolidator in the specialty insurance sector. For example, HBC became majority owner of LTA in April 2025 to expand its travel insurance footprint across Europe.
Bridgepoint's acquisition follows several notable deals in European insurance distribution. In May 2025, Bridgepoint agreed to sell its stake in French broker Kereis to Advent International, highlighting continued strategic repositioning in insurance. Similarly, Bridgepoint’s Development Capital team has backed high-growth platforms like NMi Group, demonstrating its focus on industry verticals with high consolidation potential.
Industry trends driving the deal include the €37 billion German SME insurance market—Europe’s largest—with broker penetration around 60% and a rapidly growing MGA segment that represents just 5% of the market but is expected to grow at approximately 15% annual rates as insurers outsource specialized underwriting.
Bridgepoint was advised by Rothschild & Co, Nomura, Kirkland & Ellis, McKinsey & Company, EY, Ommax, and Schuberg Philis. HBC and Preservation were supported by advisors including Macquarie Capital, Sidley Austin, PwC, LEK Consulting, and BMS Group.