Brown & Brown (Europe) Ltd has acquired Garratts Insurance Brokers Limited, which is a Preston-based family business that dates back to 1877, as well as the business and assets of Clacton-based BNF Insurance Services.

The team at Garratts, which offers covers including commercial and SME, property owners, charities and contractors, will continue to work from the firm’s Preston office following the deal.

The team at BNF, which places insurance for commercial customers and creatives, as well as property and motor, will operate from the WM Brokers office in Ipswich, as part of the Brown & Brown team covering East Anglia.