GI Partners to launch tech-enabled MGA platform

Private investment firm GI Partners announced the launch of a tech-enabled managing general agency platform in partnership with insurance industry veterans Brad Emmons and Brian Hanuschak.

The new platform will focus on acquiring and growing a diversified portfolio of MGAs across multiple lines of coverage.

Brad Emmons co-founded Orchid Underwriters in 1998, scaling it through organic growth, acquisitions, and multiple private equity recapitalization transactions before its successful sale to Brown & Brown in 2022. He most recently served as CEO of property reciprocal Forza Insurance Holdings, is an independent board member of several leading insurance services firms, and is an advisor to industry entrepreneurs and insurance incubations.

Brian Hanuschak brings over 30 years of insurance leadership experience, including his tenure as CEO of Victor Insurance Managers (a Marsh & McLennan subsidiary). Under his leadership, Victor became one of the world’s largest underwriting managers, overseeing in excess of $3 billion in annual premium.

The partnership leverages GI’s deep operational expertise and successful insurance investments, including Insurity and Patriot Growth Insurance Services, with the leadership and vision of Emmons and Hanuschak. Together, they aim to create a high-performance, tech-enabled MGA platform with national reach.

“GI Partners has a strong track record of building growth platforms. We are excited to partner with MGA founders to accelerate their growth, strengthen capabilities through technology and analytics, and bring differentiated solutions to market.” – Brad Emmons.

“I’m thrilled to support the next generation of MGA leaders alongside GI Partners. Innovation, scale, and culture will define the winners in this space, and we’re committed to helping entrepreneurs thrive.” – Brian Hanuschak.

“We see significant opportunity in the MGA market, where specialized underwriting and scalable technology drive real differentiation. We have been actively evaluating opportunities across the MGA landscape, from founder-led firms to corporate carve-outs and sponsor-backed businesses. Brad and Brian are uniquely positioned to help us identify, partner with, and scale leading MGAs.” – Steve Johnson, Director at GI Partners.

“This launch reflects GI’s long-standing ambition to build great companies. We look forward to partnering with Brad and Brian to build a world-class MGA platform that creates compelling value for our carrier partners, management, employees, and investors.” – Hoon Cho, Managing Director and Co-Head of Private Equity at GI Partners.