HAMPSHIRE insurance group Bishopsgate is poised for increased growth by joining forces with Gloucester-based Northern Star.

It comes about with the acquisition of the Gloucester company by Bishopsgate parent, the international banking and insurance group Fortis.

Peter Robinson, chief executive of Bishopsgate, based at Chandler's Ford, said: "The acquisition of Northern Star enables Bishopsgate to expand its risk management and efficient claims-handling service. Furthermore, Northern Star will be an extra administrative centre from where we can ser-vice our customers.''

The combined operations of Northern Star and Bishopsgate will have a premium income of around £310 million. Northern Star will retain its operations at Gloucester.

From its head office on the Tollgate Business Park, Bishopsgate employs nearly 600 staff

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