# Partnership testimonial: Colin Brien on joining Acera Insurance

> Discover how joining Acera Insurance gave Colin Brien’s brokerage more market access, employee ownership opportunities for his team and national scale.

The right time and the right opportunity — that’s what prompted Colin Brien to have his firm join Acera Insurance in July 2024.

With his business partner looking to retire, Colin was considering his options when Acera Insurance came along with an unbeatable offer: to be the flagship Atlantic Canada location for the national brokerage.

But helping to establish Acera Insurance’s roots in Atlantic Canada was only part of the draw for Colin.

“There were some real appealing things that stood out to me — the first Atlantic location, the employee ownership model and of course access to all the markets.”

Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada

The right choice for employees

Taking care of his Jacobi Brien Insurance team was a top priority for Colin when choosing a partner.

Ensuring his entire team would remain intact with their same core responsibilities was a significant factor for his decision to partner with Acera Insurance.

The opportunity for his team to become employee-owners was an added benefit — one that approximately half of his group has embraced.

“I wanted to make sure the deal would be good for all the employees involved, too.”

Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada

More options for clients

The Nova Scotia team is largely concentrated on commercial insurance, with a deep focus in construction, hospitality, real estate and golf courses.

Colin says they have experienced positive momentum with carriers and are now better able to negotiate terms for clients through Acera Insurance’s access to more than 100 insurers and specialty underwriters.

“You have to have size in this business. We’ve really seen that with size comes greater weight with insurers,” Colin says, referencing the core benefit of Acera Insurance’s multi-billions in gross written premium.

Acera Insurance also has in-house underwriters and several in-house specialty programs, which Colin says provides another avenue to secure competitive and comprehensive coverage for clients.

Acera Insurance has dedicated teams that provide expert insurance and risk management solutions through our specialty programs, including:

childcare and private schools

agriculture and equine

construction (wrap-up liability)

high-net-worth individuals

foster parents

real estate

Indigenous communities and organizations

immigration and citizenship consultants

jewellers

religious and faith-based organizations

RVs

firearms

travel

adventure travel/recreation operators

motorcycles

Growth in the forecast

As a nationwide organization — with locations from the Pacific to the Atlantic and into the Territories — Acera Insurance continues to focus on expanding in Eastern Canada. Colin is looking forward to the role his Nova Scotia team will play in supporting this goal.

“I want to see our team grow to the point where we’re a big player in Atlantic Canada, similar to how Acera Insurance is in the West and increasingly in Ontario, too.”

Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada

Acera Insurance offers brokerages the unique opportunity to build scale while remaining independent and Canadian. Discover how your brokerage can grow market access, retain independence and gain nationwide expertise by partnering with Acera Insurance.