Private equity firm takes minority stake in the specialist Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) broker

 

London. March 24, 2025. Berry Palmer & Lyle (BPL), the world’s leading broker specialising in CPRI, has announced today that it has secured investment from Preservation Capital Partners (PCP), a specialist financial services investor supported by long-term co-investors.

Long hailed as the “Best-in-Class” CPRI broker, BPL takes this next step following years of outperforming the market. PCP’s minority investment secures BPL’s future as an independent, employee-owned firm operating at the forefront of the CPRI market. When partnered with PCP’s extensive expertise, network, and experience as specialist investors in financial services, BPL is strongly positioned for sustained growth and innovation.

As an independent firm, BPL remains committed to delivering best-in-class advisory services, ensuring its clients receive the highest-quality solutions tailored to their needs. Jatender Aujla, Managing Partner at PCP, will join the BPL board, with the broader leadership remaining unchanged.

Charles Berry, Founder, BPL, said: “BPL only became fully employee-owned around a decade after it was founded, when the PRI market was still embryonic. Now the CPRI market has matured, with a clear direction and growth trajectory, it is time to revert to our origins by partnering with external minority shareholders, while retaining majority employee-ownership and our specialisation. But PCP doesn’t just offer us financial firepower – it also lends us the skillsets of an exceptionally dynamic group of banking and strategic operational experts. I have no doubt that we have found the best fit for BPL – a continuation of the business we built, while enabling it to aim higher and unlock the type of opportunities that our team deserves.”

Sian Aspinall, Group CEO, BPL, said: “We are thrilled to partner with PCP. Not only are we founded on the same values of specialism, innovation and “skin in the game” but we share the same philosophy for development – strengthening through investing in talent, innovation and expertise.”

James Esdaile, Chairman, BPL, said: “With the support of our new partners, I have no doubt we will continue to lead the CPRI market, leveraging new growth opportunities while staying at the forefront of innovation and service. I look forward to our clients, team and market benefitting from this next stage of BPL’s evolution.”

Jatender Aujla, Managing Partner, PCP, said: “We are delighted to partner with a leading specialist broker led by an outstanding management team. We have been following BPL’s market leading performance over a number of years and have been impressed by its outstanding growth and unparalleled reputation. BPL has consistently demonstrated market leadership and an unwavering commitment to delivering value to its clients. Our investment underscores PCP’s strategy of partnering with best-in-class businesses led by exceptional management teams, and we look forward to supporting BPL’s next phase of growth.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025 subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

This news comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of BPL’s opening in Paris in July.