Higginbotham and Commercial Global Insurance (CGI) announced the merger of their operations in Friendswood, Texas.
Higginbotham is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and ranked as one of the largest independent insurance brokers of US business, and CGI is an independent broker in Deer Park, Texas.
CGI will merge its five-person group into Higginbotham’s office in the neighboring city of Friendswood this month.
Beginning in 2008, Higginbotham started a statewide expansion strategy where it partners with like-minded brokers that add geographic scale and service capacity to its practice. The firm entered Friendswood in 2010 when it merged with a local agency.
Higginbotham’s union with CGI is its second merger in the greater area and brings its total number of employees to 660 in 22 offices.
Higginbotham provides property, liability, life and health insurance, risk management and employee benefit services to businesses and individuals. CGI is a boutique agency that provides commercial insurance and bonds to businesses and investors primarily in the industrial, environmental and construction industries. Together, they will offer full insurance capabilities to south Texas customers.
"What started as a specialized local property and casualty insurance agency in Friendswood has become a full service firm capable of managing large regional and national programs," said Ryan Moss, managing director of Higginbotham in Friendswood.
"We attract customers who want a single source solution for all of their insurance services with local experts they can count on."
CGI founder Blake Barnes added, "What drew me to Higginbotham was the opportunity to offer broader insurance products and account services to my clients. We both have strong affinities in Texas, and we want to give our customers the best in the business."
CGI will start operating under the Higginbotham name when it moves to the firm’s office in Friendswood, and Barnes will serve as a managing director of the combined firm.