Alera Group acquires Benson Blackburn

Alera Group Wealth Services, a division of Alera Group, an independent, national insurance and wealth services firm, announced the acquisition of Benson Blackburn, a Naples-based specialized insurance consultancy with a focus on ultra-affluent families and closely held businesses. The acquisition continues Alera Group Wealth Services’ strategic effort to expand by finding firms serving well-defined niches and embracing a wide range of advisor business models.

“Benson Blackburn is among the few specialist firms in the country with the skills to sit across the table from ultra-high net worth clients and their close advisors to develop wealth preservation strategies,” said Tina Hohman, executive vice president and wealth services practice leader. “The team’s expertise will benefit clients not only in Wealth Services but throughout other Alera Group divisions.”

Benson Blackburn’s focus areas include life insurance, private placement life insurance, corporate benefits and business protection. The firm is a member of M Financial Group, giving it access to proprietary products across multiple quality insurance carriers. Prior to relocating to Naples in 2007, Benson Blackburn was located in Cleveland, Ohio. Its national clientele continues to include a concentration in the Midwest and South Florida.

Founder Michael Benson launched his insurance career in 1976 and as an independent firm 10 years later. Scott Blackburn was named Principal in 2015. Both will remain with the firm as it continues under the banner Benson Blackburn, an Alera Group Company.

“Becoming part of Alera Group Wealth Services supports our continued growth,” said Michael Benson. “Being part of Alera Group’s broader platform and taking a unified approach is ideal for meeting our clients’ needs to protect wealth. We look forward to collaborating with professionals throughout the organization.”

“Michael Benson and Scott Blackburn are among the best in the business at serving clients with unique wealth preservation needs, and we are pleased to welcome them to the Alera Group family,” said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.