Independent West of England-based financial consultancy Jelf, which has an office in Bath, has shrugged off what it admitted were “challenging” market conditions to enjoy a positive start to the second half of the year.
As a result it expects its results for the year to September 30 to be in line with market expectations. The highly-acquisitive group said integration of its latest add-on, The Insurance Partnership, was progressing well and delivering in line with its expectations. Jelf bought the Yorkshire firm in a £15.5m deal in June.
Earlier this month it acquired a controlling stake in Laterlife, the UK’s preeminent retirement specialists, to significantly extend its employee benefits offering to those approaching, at and going through retirement. Laterlife, based near Reading, was founded in 1999 provides in-house and open retirement workshops.
In a trading update to shareholders today Jelf said: “Markets remain challenging but we remain strongly cash generative and continue to focus on improving efficiencies and controlling costs whilst growing the business organically where opportunities present themselves.”
The group, which provides a broad range of insurance, financial services and employee benefit services to corporates and individuals, will announce its preliminary annual results on December 9.
Formed in 1989 by Chris Jelf, the group has 34 offices in 32 locations across England and Wales employing almost 1,100 people.
Its group head office is in Chipping Sodbury while its Bath office is a base fo its Jelf Lampier and Jelf Professions businessses. It previously had an office in Chippenham office – the result of its 2006 takeover of Auto Business Solutions.
