White Mountains Insurance Group Expands Through Acquisition of Distinguished Programs
On July 7, 2025, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (traded as NYSE: WTM) made headlines as it revealed its plan to acquire a majority stake in Distinguished Programs, an established managing general agent (MGA) and program administrator focusing on specialty property and casualty insurance. This notable acquisition will see White Mountains secure a 51% controlling interest in the company, strengthening its foothold in the dynamic insurance market.
Distinguished Programs is known for managing an impressive portfolio, placing over $550 million in premiums annually across 12 distinct specialty programs, including sectors such as commercial real estate, hospitality, community associations, and fine arts. The company is run by seasoned professionals Bill Malloy, Jason Rotman, and Steve Sitterly, who collectively bring a wealth of experience in the insurance sector.
The current controlling equity holder of Distinguished, Aquiline Capital Partners, will continue to play a role as a significant minority equity stakeholder moving forward. Crucially, the existing executive management team will remain in place to steer the company, ensuring continuity during this transition. As stated by Manning Rountree, CEO of White Mountains, the decision to acquire comes after careful observation of Distinguished's impressive trajectory. Rountree expressed confidence in the company's positioning within a lucrative, evolving market and looks forward to collaborating with Distinguished’s team to exploit both organic and inorganic growth prospects.
“We’re excited about this partnership,” said Jason Rotman, President of Distinguished Programs, who emphasizes that this venture heralds a new chapter for the company. He articulated faith in White Mountains’ extensive insurance expertise and resources, which he believes will complement their initiatives and drive growth.
The deal involves White Mountains acquiring approximately 50% of Distinguished's outstanding equity interests for a total of $230 million. It is worth noting that White Mountains previously held about 1% of the equity. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, contingent upon regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Legal advisorship has been secured by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP for White Mountains and by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Mayer Brown LLP for Distinguished and its management team, respectively.
About Distinguished Programs
Founded in 1995, Distinguished Programs operates as a full-service MGA and program administrator specializing in various property and casualty insurance segments. Distinguished prides itself on managing the intricacies of the insurance placement process, from product development to marketing, underwriting, and claims management, ensuring high standards and profitability for its carrier partners.
About White Mountains
White Mountains is a Bermuda-based financial services holding company, recognized for its strategic investments and operations in the insurance space. With a robust presence in the market, it trades on both the New York and Bermuda stock exchanges under the symbols WTM and WTM.BH. For further details on the company's financials and operations, consult their official website at www.whitemountains.com.
This acquisition not only marks a significant milestone for both companies but also signifies a strong commitment to innovation and responsiveness in a rapidly changing insurance landscape. As the market continues to evolve, White Mountains' partnership with Distinguished Programs positions it well to meet the emerging challenges and opportunities head-on.