ONE of Altrincham's major companies, the motorcycle insurance broker Carole Nash, has been bought by insurance giant the Ardonagh Group.

Carole Nash was founded by entrepreneur Carole Nash from her Timperley home after being made redundant in 1985.

It has grown into one of Trafford's most successful businesses, employing more than 400 people at its headquarters in Altrincham and another 30 in Dublin.

It is believed the deal could be worth up to £65m.

Carole Nash is the largest motorcycle insurance broker in the UK, and is a specialist brand renowned for quality and service. In 2016, the company reported income approaching £29 million.

It is believed the takeover deal could be worth up to £65m.

The CEO of The Ardonagh Group, David Ross, said: “Carole Nash is not only a pre-eminent brand and market leader; it’s also a hugely successful business in the North West and a significant employer in the region. We have admired the business for a long time and are really happy to be welcoming them into the fold as another hugely important addition to the Ardonagh Group family.”

David Newman, CEO of Carole Nash added: “As a management team, our plans to keep building our brand and market share mean we have been looking for a home where we can build on the reputation we have fostered over many years, ensuring longevity of our much-admired service and expertise.

"As we start to investigate the opportunities to collaborate with like-minded businesses within the Ardonagh Group such as Autonet and to build on our individual strengths within a market we collectively dominate, I feel sure we will create a very special opportunity for both our people and our customers.

"A commitment to remain in our Altrincham and Dublin locations means that this news today is business as usual, only better, signifying a real understanding and appreciation of our company, our values and of our loyal client base. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Ardonagh Group employs approximately 1,500 people in approaching 30 offices across Manchester and the North West of England in a variety of roles across insurance broking, underwriting and support services.