Two insurance brokers in Kent are to merge in a deal creating one of the UK’s top 20 independent firms in the industry.

Lark Group, based in Maidstone, and West Malling headquartered Aston Scott will join forces to create a business with annual revenues of more than £50 million, should it be given regulatory approval.

The combined companies will employ 600 staff across 18 offices, where it will place more than £250 million worth of gross written premiums.

The board of the new company will include senior management from both firms, including Aston Scott chief executive Peter Blanc and Lark Group managing director Stephen Lark.

The deal, the terms of which have not been disclosed, is backed by mid-market private equity firm Bowmark Capital, which invested in Aston Scott in 2015.

Since then the broker, which brings 250 people in 13 offices to the new firm, has been on the acquisition trail.

It bought Essex-based First Commercial last year and Derby-based Bell & Co for an undisclosed sum in March. The strategy is expected to continue after the merger.

Mr Blanc said: “Joining forces with Lark will create an incredibly strong presence in the UK market.

“Both management teams share a passion for the service excellence, professionalism and integrity that our markets demand.”

Lark traces its history to 1948, when it was established as Lloyd’s broker Roger Lark & Sons in London. The firm’s chairman Graham Lark and managing director Stephen are grandsons of the founder Roger Lark.

It moved into Maidstone with the takeovers of Griffiths & Drew and Davies & Thompson Ltd in the 1990s.

Its most recent takeover was of Bury St Edmunds-based insurance broker Insurance Risk Solutions in 2014.

Stephen Lark said: “There are so many opportunities in commercial insurance broking, private client broking and employee benefits that can be increased with scale and merging with Aston Scott creates a compelling opportunity.”

Bowmark Capital partner David Torbet said: “Bringing Aston Scott and Lark together is a transformational deal which will create one of the leading independent broking groups in the UK.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the combined management team to deliver the next stage of growth.”