Georgia insurance firms, one with North Little Rock office, announce merger

Georgia insurance companies Sterling Seacrest Partners Inc. and Pritchard & Jerden are planning to merge and form Sterling Seacrest Pritchard. The deal takes effect on April 1, 2021.

The newly merged firm will employ over 300 in eight offices: Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Columbus, Ga., North Little Rock, Savannah, Ga. and Tampa, Fla. Sterling Seacrest Partners has a North Little Rock office at 4601 E. McCain Blvd.

“Our industry has seen unprecedented consolidation with most of it dramatically changing the way agents do business with their customers and carrier partners,” David Paddison, president of Sterling Seacrest Partners, said in a statement. “What stands out about our merger is that it doubles down on the value proposition of an independent, privately held employee-owned platform which we believe balances and aligns the interests of our clients, our carriers, and our colleagues.”

Company officials say the merger will fill a gap created by consolidation of large independent brokers over the past several years and will give clients, insurance carriers and employees an option outside the public brokers and private equity-owned platforms.

“Professional service firms require thoughtful, strategic growth that allows for the delivery of a superior customer experience driven by a continued investment in technology, education and the ability to attract and retain the best industry talent,” Pritchard & Jerden president Jim Bailey said in a statement. “We believe our clients and colleagues will receive the best in all these sectors with this strategic alignment of Sterling Seacrest and Pritchard & Jerden.”