Maven backs specialist insurers through Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

Leading specialist in agricultural insurance, Acres Insurance Brokers (AIB), has secured a six-figure funding package from the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through Maven, appointed Fund Manager for the East and South East Midlands

Founded by Nigel Wellings, an experienced insurance professional with a farming background, AIB is dedicated to supporting farmers and the wider rural community with tailored insurance solutions.

Based in Rushden, Northamptonshire, the company is well placed to serve the South East Midlands and surrounding regions, where agriculture remains a key part of the local economy and there is strong demand for specialist insurance services. AIB combines deep sector knowledge with extensive insurance expertise, enabling it to provide policies that reflect the unique needs of rural based businesses.

Acres works with all major UK insurers and serves a diverse portfolio of rural clients, from small family-run farms to large-scale commercial estates and agribusinesses. The company has built strong, long-standing relationships across its client base and places significant volumes of business with leading insurers, including AXA, Aviva, Zurich, QBE, Amlin, RSA/NIG, and others.

Funding from Maven through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will support Acres’ next stage of growth, including the development of a new IT platform to enhance online quotation and policy management, relocation to larger premises, expansion of marketing activity, and growth of the team. This debt finance package will also allow the business to broaden its reach and compete more effectively within the agricultural insurance market.

Nigel Wellings, Managing Director at Acres Investments

"After five years of building Acres Insurance Brokers into a solid and scalable business, we reached a point where accelerating growth became the next logical step. Rather than sell equity, we made a clear decision to pursue debt finance to maintain control and long-term value. In the past, we’d have turned to traditional high street banks, but this time we approached Maven, working with the British Business Bank. From the outset, they took the time to understand our business, our model, and our ambitions - and they delivered a funding solution that truly aligned with our goals. Their support has given us the confidence and the capital to take Acres Insurance Brokers to the next level."

Nigel Wellings, Managing Director at Acres Investments

"Acres Insurance Brokers has built a strong reputation for its specialist knowledge and customer focus in the agricultural insurance market. The combination of farming backgrounds and technical insurance expertise across the team gives them a practical understanding of the risks and challenges their clients face, allowing them to deliver solutions that truly meet the needs of their clients. We are pleased to support Acres with this investment and look forward to working with them as they continue to grow the business."

Paul Davis, Investment Manager at Maven

“This investment demonstrates the fund’s continued commitment to helping ambitious businesses across the Midlands unlock their growth potential. This round of funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will help Acres Insurance Brokers support more farmers and the wider rural community, while the business broadens its reach and delivers on its next phase of growth. We wish them every success."

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank

This latest investment adds to a growing list of businesses backed by MEIF II - Debt Finance East and South East Midlands. To date, the Fund has backed a diverse range of businesses including, Sleaford Building Services, mechanical, electrical and construction contractor, Lemon and Lime, a home staging business, TextureJet, a DeepTech firm, Sunset Commercial, a commercial brokerage business, Panoramix, an IP law firm, Advance Tapes, an independent adhesive tapes manufacturer, DUKE Distribution, a logistics and trackway installation provider and Vision4Sport, a sports hospitality specialist.

As Fund Manager of MEIF II - Debt Finance East and South East Midlands, Maven can provide business loans from £100,000 to £2 million to support both earlier and later stage businesses with real growth potential across a range of sectors. If your business, or the business you advise, is considering debt finance to support future growth please, click here.