In June of this year, the Board of Directors of both Canadian ICMIF member Halwell Mutual Insurance Company and of Dumfries Mutual Insurance Company announced a unanimous agreement to amalgamate effective 1 January 2024, subject to regulatory approval and approval by the members of the two mutual organisations.

In a joint statement the two companies referred to the significant headwinds that P&C carriers, and particularly mutuals, are facing, affirming their shared belief that they would be stronger doing this together. Halwell and Dumfries explained that they have a shared desire to amalgamate and have been working closely together over the last several months to examine the potential to become a combined entity. The two companies said they had been very encouraged by the close alignment in their longstanding histories, their established vision and values, the incredible talent on their teams, and a united strategy for the future. The name of the proposed amalgamated company is: Halwell Dumfries Mutual Insurance.

The statement affirmed the joint belief that the new organisation will be poised to overcome any challenges the future may hold and to meet the expectations of its members for years to come. The companies have been working together over recent months on securing the necessary member and regulatory approvals as well as developing an integration plan to bring the companies together through a smooth transition.

Halwell Dumfries Mutual Insurance will succeed under the leadership of President & Chief Executive Officer, Rocco Neglia, and Chief Operations Officer, Tom Seaman. The new entity will maintain its two offices in Guelph and Sheffield, Ontario. The head office will be designated as the Guelph location.