General
Chief executive says India central to regional diversification
BMS Group Ltd is preparing to enter the Indian market through a strategic partnership with Berns Brett India. Subject to regulatory approval, the local entity will be renamed BMS (India) Ltd, giving the group a locally based operation in the market as part of its specialty and reinsurance strategy.
Nick Gillett, CEO of BMS International, framed the move as part of a broader push across a connected set of markets. “BMS’s regional investments from Turkey to India show the focus we are giving to these exciting areas of growth and our belief in their importance to the group’s diversification and geographical strength. We believe India to be an economic powerhouse and plays directly to our specialty strengths contributing through strong local connections to our global skill sets,” Gillett said.
General Middle East platform develops around DIFC hub
Alongside the India initiative, BMS has established a licensed presence in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) through the launch of BMS (DIFC) Ltd, following licence and regulatory approval. The DIFC entity is intended to act as a base for business flowing from Turkey and the wider Middle East and North Africa. BMS (DIFC) Ltd will oversee business from the MENA region and Turkey and will be responsible for territories and classes underwritten in the DIFC. The group has appointed Ranji Sinha as senior executive officer of the new firm.
In the wider UAE, BMS Masaood continues to handle the group’s direct insurance business. Lavanya Mamidanna remains managing director of BMS Masaood, UAE, with responsibility for direct business in the local market. Both Sinha and Mamidanna report to Vedanta Baruah, CEO BMS Middle East & North Africa, who in turn reports into London. Commenting on the updated structure, Baruah said: “BMS continues to commit to the region, and we are now fully equipped to serve our clients in both direct and reinsurance arenas and to draw on the highly professional technical skills located in BMS Group’s global offices.”
General Acquisitions extend specialty reach across key corridors
BMS is complementing its new operations with acquisitions in markets that link to Asian reinsurance placements and multinational insurance programmes. In July 2025, the broker completed the purchase of Queensland-based Corporate and Commercial Insurance Brokers, a firm established in 2006 to provide risk management advice and broking services to large privately owned organisations. Under the new structure, founder and director Jeremy Murfin becomes client director for BMS Australia, reporting to Stephen Moore, managing director, BMS Risk Solutions QLD, in Brisbane. Murfin also joined the Australian executive leadership team.
General Turkish acquisition reinforces regional corridor strategy
In May 2025, BMS expanded its presence in Turkey with the acquisition of Istanbul-based Oria Sigorta ve Reasürans Brokerliği A.Ş. The transaction increases the group’s presence in a market it views as a link between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and forms part of its plan to develop a connected regional network.
Founded in 2019, Oria operates as an independent insurance and reinsurance broker focused on corporate insurance and employee health benefits solutions. Owned and chaired by Cenk Erden, the firm brings local market access and client relationships that BMS intends to connect with its wider specialty and reinsurance capabilities.
General Iberia and Latin America deals support global client flows
In March 2025, BMS completed the acquisition of Rasher, a Spanish broker specialising in surety, credit, finance, and risk management solutions for corporate clients, after securing regulatory approvals. Rasher, headquartered in Spain, has subsidiaries in Colombia and Peru, adding to BMS’s presence in Latin America. Former Rasher CEO Gabriel Raya became chief growth officer of BMS in Iberia and oversees the development of Rasher’s Latin American operations. He joins the board of directors of BMS Iberia with immediate effect.