News - Midlands
Homeserve’s Italian job
Walsall’s Homeserve is planning a major push in the Italian market. The listed home insurance group is ready to set up an office in Milan and has acquisitions lined up, according to reports in the Italian media. Chief executive Richard Harpin is quoted as saying: “In the next few months, we will invest in Italy. We are targeting a couple of companies to buy.” He said the group will seek to set up joint ventures or agreements with Italian companies. Late last year, part of the business – Homeserve Emergency Services – was hived off via a management buyout backed by private-equity firm LDC.