Scotto Partners is advising the management of the Siaci Saint Honoré Group on its merger with the Burrus Group

The management of the SIACI SAINT HONORÉ Group, which collectively holds a majority stake in this independent French insurance brokerage firm, and Christian Burrus, the majority shareholder of DIOT and LSN, have signed an agreement to create Europe’s first independent insurance brokerage firm with an international focus.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan would join the investment round as the lead institutional investor, alongside Bpifrance and Cathay Capital. This consortium would then replace Charterhouse Capital Partners and Ardian, which would sell their controlling stakes in the Siaci Saint Honoré Group.

The new group will be chaired by Pierre Donnersberg, the current CEO and founder of Siaci Saint Honoré, while Christian Burrus will serve as Managing Director.

During this transaction, Scotto Partners worked with the management of the Siaci Group to structure this unprecedented partnership with Christian Burrus, with the aim of jointly holding a majority of the equity and voting rights in the newly created group, and assisted in negotiations with the new financial partners in the funding round. Scotto Partners also designed the new management compensation package that will be offered to the key executives and managers of the newly created group.

Pierre Donnersberg stated: “We share common values and numerous opportunities. This merger would bring new challenges and the implementation of ambitious growth plans built on incredible and complementary business synergies that benefit our customers.”

Christian Burrus adds: “The values of family ownership that drive me remain at the heart of this project: they preserve our independence and ensure it over the long term in the best interests of our teams, our clients, and our investors.”

With this merger, the new Group will strengthen its position in France and internationally in the market for large corporations, mid-sized companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—in personal insurance, international mobility insurance, property and liability insurance, marine and transportation insurance, credit insurance, and reinsurance.

It will rank among the top 10 global players in the industry, generate nearly 700 M€ in revenue, and employ nearly 5,000 people in more than 40 countries.

The Scotto Partners team consists of Lionel Scotto ( partner) and Adrien Badelon ( partner), as well as Rosa Oudni and Caroline Vieren (associates) handling corporate matters. Jérôme Commerçon (partner), supported by Martine Le Roux and Loic Pipaud (associates), handles tax matters, while Bertrand Thibaut ( counsel) and Alban Tourneux ( associates) handle employment law matters.