Gallagher's ascent: New report reveals how brokerage is taking on industry giants

A newly released deep-dive analysis lifts the lid on one of the most ambitious expansion stories in the global insurance industry: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.’s rise to becoming the world’s third-largest insurance brokerage. 

The report, Gallagher: Insurance Broker Competitive Analysis, offers an unprecedented look at how the Illinois-based firm - once viewed as a second-tier player - has climbed into the top tier through rapid-fire acquisitions, disciplined financial execution, and a sharp focus on middle-market dominance. 

Gallagher, now with more than 44,000 employees and a 4.6 percent share of the US brokerage market, has completed 178 acquisitions since 2020. Its $13.45 billion bid for Assured Partners and earlier $3.25 billion acquisition of Willis Re are just the tip of an expansion iceberg reshaping the competitive landscape. 

“This isn’t just empire building,” the report notes. “Gallagher is rewriting the blueprint for global brokerage with a model that blends scalability, sectoral depth, and cultural cohesion.” 

But the report digs far deeper than the headlines. It dissects Gallagher’s operational playbook - from its signature integration method, The Gallagher Way, to its evolving revenue model and the data-driven technologies quietly redefining client service. 

Among the highlights: 

• Financial firepower: Gallagher has nearly tripled its assets since 2020, doubling revenue while maintaining a 20% profit margin - all while absorbing rising debt and amortization. 
• Acquisition strategy dissected: Gallagher has turned M&A into a growth engine while navigating increasing regulatory and legal scrutiny. 
• Middle-market mastery: By turning client lifecycle management into a strategic advantage, Gallagher is capitalizing on a segment often overlooked by larger rivals. 
• Global ambitions: From Zurich to New Zealand, its “hub-and-spoke” model is transforming local acquisitions into scalable international platforms. 
• Leadership insights: Analysts Paul Newsome and Meyer Shields explore the firm’s distinctive hybrid of family and institutional governance. 

With expert commentary, exclusive earnings analysis, and detailed financial charts, the report offers essential insights for investors, competitors, insurance executives, and consultants aiming to understand where the brokerage market is headed - and who is poised to lead it. 

Now available: Gallagher: Insurance Broker Competitive Analysis  

Ideal for: Insurance brokers, strategic planners, investors, consultants, and M&A specialists
Includes: 100+ pages of sector insights, financial performance, and market forecasting 
Access via: IB+ Data Hub subscription