Gallagher to Acquire Woodruff Sawyer for $1.2 Billion
Deal News | Mar 05, 2025 | Re-Insurance News

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Woodruff Sawyer, a San Francisco-based provider of commercial property and casualty products, employee benefits solutions, and risk management services, for $1.2 billion. This strategic acquisition is pending regulatory approval and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. Post-acquisition, Woodruff Sawyer's team, led by Chairman and CEO Andy Barrengos, will report to Peter Doyle, head of Gallagher's U.S. retail property and casualty brokerage operations. Both companies share a strong commitment to client-focused services and complementary expertise. Gallagher Chairman and CEO, J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., highlighted the mutual benefits of the acquisition and anticipated enhanced value delivery to clients. In 2024, Gallagher reported significant financial growth with net earnings of $1.47 billion, up from $966 million in 2023, and completed 48 mergers as part of its robust growth strategy.
Sectors
- Insurance
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Geography
- United States – Both Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Woodruff Sawyer operate within the U.S., with the latter being based in San Francisco, California.
Industry
- Insurance – The acquisition involves major players in the insurance industry, specifically in commercial property and casualty products and risk management services.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – The article discusses an acquisition deal worth $1.2 billion between Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Woodruff Sawyer.
Financials
- $1.2 billion – The consideration amount Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will pay to acquire Woodruff Sawyer.
- $1.47 billion – Gallagher's reported net earnings for 2024.
- 966 million – Gallagher's net earnings for 2023, indicating significant growth in 2024.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | Bidding Company | Company | A global insurance brokerage and risk management services firm planning to acquire Woodruff Sawyer. |
Woodruff Sawyer | Target Company | Company | A company providing commercial property and casualty products with a focus on middle and large market clients, based in San Francisco. |
J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. | Chairman and CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | Person | Leads Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and is involved in the strategic acquisition. |
Andy Barrengos | Chairman and CEO of Woodruff Sawyer | Person | Leads Woodruff Sawyer and will report to Peter Doyle post-acquisition. |
Peter Doyle | Head of U.S. Retail Property and Casualty Brokerage Operations at Gallagher | Person | Will oversee the Woodruff Sawyer team post-acquisition. |