CHERRY GODFREY is expanding to take over Birch Insurance. The company will buy out Birch on Friday 1 October for an undisclosed sum.

Cherry Godfrey director Dean de la Rue said that more acquisitions were in the pipeline.

The deal means that Cherry Godfrey will take over the Birch motor, household, marine, travel, commercial and individual health care businesses. Birch will continue trading, but as independent financial advisers only.

Mr de la Rue said that it would be a smooth transfer of business.

‘We are delighted to retain all of Birch Insurance’s existing general business staff, including Karl Richards, who will join us as a director,’ said Mr de la Rue.

‘Add to this the fact that our independent financial adviser and insurance business will relocate to Birch Insurance’s existing premises in St Julian’s Avenue, then it is very much business as usual for Birch Insurance’s general insurance policyholders.’

Birch customers will, however, have to call the Cherry Godfrey telephone number.

‘Cherry Godfrey probably needs little introduction and is a very well known and respected company,’ said managing director Keith Birch.

‘I am therefore delighted to leave our general insurance clients in their capable hands.’

Birch will now specialise in life, pension and insurance-wrapped investments.