JMG Group Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of Alan Percival

There’s a new name making waves in the insurance world, and it signals big things for one of the UK's major players. JMG Group, an insurance broker with its headquarters in Yorkshire, has just bolstered its leadership team by bringing in a seasoned expert. On April 2, 2026, the company announced the appointment of Alan Percival as the new regional managing director for the Midlands and South West. This move isn't just a simple staff update; it's a clear sign that JMG Group is ready to expand its presence and shake up the UK insurance broker market even more.

A new face for the Midlands and South West

So, who is Alan Percival? Think of him as the new strategic boss for a massive part of England. With over 35 years of experience in the insurance broker world, he’s seen it all. Bringing him on board is like a top football team signing a legendary manager who knows every trick in the book. His new job title, regional managing director, means he'll be overseeing all the plans and day-to-day business for JMG Group across two key regions: the Midlands and the South West. The company, which started in Yorkshire, is clearly looking to grow, and Alan is the person tasked with leading that charge.

His focus will be on helping the company grow in two ways. Firstly, through 'organic growth', which is the business equivalent of watering a plant you already have – helping existing offices do even better. Secondly, through 'acquisitive growth', which is more like adding new, impressive plants to your garden by buying them. Alan sees a lot of potential in the Midlands and the South West, where there are many brilliant independent insurance brokers who might be thinking about their next step. The goal is to expand the JMG Group footprint across the UK insurance market, and this appointment is a huge step in that direction.

Why Alan is the perfect fit

What makes Alan Percival the ideal person for this job is his unique backstory. He’s been in leadership roles at two big insurance businesses that were eventually bought by larger companies. This means he has stood on both sides of the fence. He knows exactly what a big company looks for when it wants to buy a smaller one, but he also understands the worries and hopes of the business owner who is selling. It’s a bit like having been both a professional athlete and a team scout – you understand the game from every single angle.

This experience is incredibly valuable. When he talks to the owners of an independent insurance broker in the South West or the Midlands, he can genuinely relate to their situation. He knows they’ll be concerned about their staff, their customers, and protecting the company they’ve worked so hard to build. Having him on the leadership team provides a level of reassurance that’s hard to find. It shows that JMG Group isn't just a faceless corporation; it's run by people who get it. This insight will be a core part of how the company continues to expand its operations.

What does this mean for local insurance brokers?

Many smaller, independent businesses are fantastic at what they do but can get bogged down with endless paperwork and regulations. It can stifle their ability to grow and innovate. This is a problem Alan Percival understands well. He believes JMG Group has found the right way to help these companies.

As Alan says:

“It’s a very exciting time to join the group. There are good businesses in the Midlands and South West that want to grow and want to protect what makes them successful, but are weighed down by regulatory demands. JMG Group understands that balance. Owners want certainty, continuity for their people and clients, and they want a partner that will respect what they’ve built. That’s what I see here. The quality of businesses in the group and how they’ve been integrated reflects JMG Group’s mature and proven approach.”

Essentially, the approach is to offer a partnership. JMG Group can handle the heavy lifting and the complicated admin, freeing up the local broker to focus on what they do best: looking after their clients. They don't want to come in and change everything. Instead, they want to preserve the local identity and relationships that made the business a success in the first place.

The bigger picture for JMG Group

This strategic appointment fits perfectly with the overall philosophy of the JMG Group. The company's CEO, Nick Houghton, made it clear that their growth strategy is about being smart, not just big. They aren't interested in buying up companies just for the sake of it. They want partners who are already well-run and who share their values of caring for clients and staff.

Nick Houghton explains:

“Alan understands this market from every angle and he knows what a good business looks like. We’re not interested in buying for the sake of it. We want well-run brokers who care about their clients and their people. When the fit is right, we can support their growth without losing what makes them distinctive. Alan brings that mindset and will play an important role in our continued expansion across the Midlands and South West.”

This mindset has already made JMG Group one of the top 25 insurance brokers in the UK. With a team of over 800 people working across 60 offices from Scotland to the south coast of England, the company is a major force in the market. The addition of a new regional managing director with Alan Percival’s experience is set to strengthen that position even further.