Aggressive middle-market broker roll-up; 40+ acquisitions/yr; ~$11B 2024 revenue; founder-family Gallagher still operationally involved.
Key Milestones
Arthur J. Gallagher Sr founds Arthur J. Gallagher & Co Sep 1927 in Chicago as a regional retail insurance broker. Family-controlled until 1984 IPO. Famous for relentless tuck-in acquisition strategy — Gallagher acquires 25-50 small agencies per year for 7 decades, consolidating fragmented US agency market.
Arthur J. Gallagher IPO Apr 1984 at $10/share on NYSE — family takes brokerage public after 57 years of private ownership. Stock proceeds fuel acquisition machine: AJG completes 700+ tuck-in acquisitions over next 40 years. Pat Gallagher (Arthur's grandson) becomes CEO 1995.
AJG acquires HRH (Hilb Rogal & Hobbs) 2008 for $1.6B + later 50+ tuck-in deals per year defining AJG's M&A engine. Pat Gallagher CEO 1995-present executes the most consistent broker M&A strategy in industry — 900+ acquisitions over 30 years.
AJG acquires Noraxis Capital Sep 2014 for $400M — Canadian commercial brokerage. AJG steadily builds Canada, UK, Australia presence through 2010s. Pat Gallagher: 'M&A is our R&D' — sets industry-defining tuck-in playbook.
AJG benefits + investment platform expands through Edgewood Partners 2016 + JT Group London 2018 + multiple regional benefits firms 2018-2020. Pat Gallagher CEO continues aggressive tuck-in M&A; AJG global locations grow from 600 (2017) to 950+ (2025).
AJG benefits from 2020-2024 hard insurance market — commercial pricing + benefits inflation drive 12-15% organic growth annually. Stock 5x's 2020-2026 from $90 to $340+. Tuck-in acquisitions 50+/year continue defining AJG's M&A engine; pipeline funded by strong free cash flow.
AJG acquires Buck Global (employee benefits consulting) Apr 2023 for $660M from H.I.G. Capital. Pat Gallagher CEO continues 700+ tuck-in acquisition strategy. AJG enters the year as 4th-largest US broker by revenue; closes gap to Marsh + Aon + WTW big-3.
Arthur J. Gallagher acquires Buck Global (employee benefits consulting) Apr 2023 for $660M from H.I.G. Capital; further extends AJG's benefits + HR services. By 2024 AJG operates 950+ offices globally, $11B revenue. Pat Gallagher CEO continues 700+ tuck-in acquisition strategy.
AJG FY2025 — Pat Gallagher CEO reports $11.5B+ revenue; 50+ tuck-in acquisitions 2025. AJG's M&A engine + brokerage market hardening drive 25%+ EBITDA margin. Stock $345+ (5x increase 2020-2025). AJG becomes top-3 global broker by revenue.
Arthur J. Gallagher Q4 2025 — Pat Gallagher CEO reports $11.5B revenue 2025 (+15% YoY); 50+ tuck-in acquisitions 2025 alone. AJG's serial M&A engine + brokerage market hardening drive 25%+ EBITDA margin. Stock $340+ (5x increase 2020-2026). AJG quietly becomes top-3 global insurance broker by revenue.