Established as Health Decisions in 1997, ADVO Group now advises in excess of two-thousand clients on all aspects of health insurance for employee benefit and individual policies.

After a merger with Sussex based GB Medicare, the combined organisation was re-branded in 2004 as ADVO Group and is now recognised as one of the leading independent advisers on employee benefit solutions in the U.K.

The last few years has seen the company achieve incredible levels of growth. This has been achieved by focusing on the clients needs and providing exemplary levels of customer service with client information and staff being easily accessible.

Strong and consistent investment in staff training and technology has provided a team of twenty-two experienced staff fully trained to use bespoke in-house systems and have a high understanding of the health insurance and employee benefit market. The in-house systems are designed and continually updated using valuable customer feedback .

2012 saw ADVO Group acquire Oxfordshire-based Health Care Plus. The acquisition further strengthens the group’s portfolio and its reputation as one of the leading independently-owned specialist health intermediaries in the UK. Health Care Plus was established in January 1994 and has won a raft of awards, as has its new owner. Health Care Plus’s Sue Smith will remain with the business, which will retain the Abingdon office, adding to ADVO’s presence in London and Maidstone.

Sue Smith commented  "Health Care Plus is delighted to become part of the ADVO Group, a company that is tremendously well respected by both intermediaries and insurers. This is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to working with ADVO and contributing to its future growth and success whilst continuing to offer a high level of service to my clients.”

Larry Bulmer, ADVO Group’s CEO, added:

"This is a tremendous transaction both for ADVO and for Sue, and we look forward to working with a highly respected member of the specialist intermediary community. The acquisition demonstrates ADVO’s commitment to expansion through acquisition of partners of similar outlook and values. We are always open to discussion with intermediaries, and our flexible approach allows us to structure exit strategies either in stages or via a single transaction.

Time Line

1997		Health Decisions Established as a partnership
2001		Incorporated as HR Decisions, Professional Health Solutions acquired
2002		Specialist medical insurance broker MJH consulting acquired
2003		Launch of the unique online 24/7 servicing access for SME Clients. Business of Professional Financial Resources and I Quote Limited acquired.
2004		Merged with GB Medicare, name changed to ADVO Group
2005		Further developments to the online system, allowing all clients staff to log-on and use the treatment-finder feature. Statutory Financial Services Authority regulation embraced within the business
2007		Health Plan Business acquired
2008		Merged with e-xcellenthealth.com limited further enhancing the reputation and size of ADVO Group Limited
2012		Acquisition of Health Care Plus