CMS advises Marsh on sale of shareholding in INSIA

CMS has advised Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor, on the sale of 80% of its shareholding in INSIA a.s., including its Slovak subsidiary and Romanian branch, to UnilinkS.A. 

INSIA is one of the largest networks of insurance and mortgage brokers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Unilink’s philosophy in building the group in Central and Eastern Europe is to work with the founders of the respective companies as they know the local markets best and retain their entrepreneurial mindset. Ivan Špirakus will therefore remain a minority shareholder in INSIA and will continue as the company’s CEO. 

Lukas Herrmanns, CEO of Marsh in Central and Eastern Europe, said: “We would like to thank Ivan and all our INSIA colleagues for the successful journey together over the last few years and wish them the best of luck on their new journey with UNILINK. After this transaction, we will be able to increase our investments and focus on MARSH’s core offer for our existing clients in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.”

Helen Rodwell, managing partner of CMS’s Prague and Bratislava offices, added: “It has been a pleasure to support our long-standing client MARSH on its exit from INSIA. As we assisted MARSH during its initial investment in INSIA in 2011 and throughout their 11-year partnership, we are now delighted also to be part of this final chapter.”

The CMS team was led by Helen Rodwell, with support from Pavel Kocian, Tristan O’Connor, and Huyen Vuova (Corporate)