Tue, 24 Mar 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Europa Group, the broker best known for its MotorCycle Direct brand, has been acquired by Principal Insurance. According to Principal, the deal will put it among the top five intermediaries in the motorcycle market, while providing a platform for further expansion in the sector.
The deal comes as M&A activity in the UK insurance market increasingly moves away from large-scale consolidation and towards targeted acquisitions of specialist brokers and MGAs. Principal, which has completed a number of acquisitions, has said it is actively looking to combine its organic growth with deals targeting specialist brokers and renewal books across key personal and commercial lines.
Manchester-headquartered Principal financed the deal exclusively through shareholder funds. The acquisition includes MotorCycle Direct and Europa Underwriting, trading under the Ridersure wholesale brand, and creates a broking group generating more than £60 million in annual gross written premium and serving in excess of 120,000 policyholders.
Post-acquisition, Principal will retain Europa’s Bristol office, with the firm’s 77-strong workforce remaining largely unaffected.
Dave Bowcock, Managing Director of Principal Insurance, commented: "This acquisition not only makes impeccable commercial sense to Principal, but provides Europa with the opportunity to unlock shareholder value while joining a group with the scale and investment capacity to support its next phase of growth.”
"Europa has a fantastic retail pedigree upon which, through investment and our product and technological expertise, we will further build.”
Bowcock added that the enhanced market presence generated by the acquisition would enable Principal to deliver further value to UK motorcyclists while “reaching deeper into the niches within what is a highly specialist sector.”
Richard Waring, Managing Director of Europa Group, said that the company had decided it was the right time to realise its value, following significant investment in technology and innovation.
He continued: "As a tech-savvy and ambitious specialist broker, Principal is a perfect fit for Europa’s brands. No one better understands the market and how to secure sustainable growth through satisfaction of niche demands and service delivery."
The deal follows a series of acquisitions by Principal, most recently the purchase of Peart Performance Marque Ltd's renewal book in November 2025. The company is targeting deals in niches including the motorcycle, motorhome and courier insurance sectors.
Dave Bowcock said: "We’re acquisition hungry and have the funds to fuel that appetite. If you’re looking to exit markets in which we’re active, talk to us."
Read our in-depth insight analysing the emerging changes shaping the UK insurance M&A market
This established architectural practice in Ireland presents a significant growth opportunity with a strong team already in place and potential for expansion into new areas.
This ecommerce consultancy boasts over a decade of specialised platform expertise and enjoys a fantastic reputation, serving an international client base across diverse sectors.
An established accountancy practice in Leeds is up for sale, offering a diverse range of services including tax advisory, audit, and financial reporting.
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.