Insurance brokerage group Assurex Global said it has expandedits international network with the naming of Leaderim InsuranceBrokers Ltd., of Ramat-Gan, Israel, as the newest partner firm.

The Columbus, Ohio-based independent insurance brokerage groupsaid Leaderim joins 130 other independent brokers in thepartnership.

“When individuals see the Assurex name, we want them to knowthat the due-diligence has been done and they can be confidentthey're working with the very best professionals in the industry,”said Jim Hackbarth chief executive officer of Assurex. “Leaderimclearly met our extensive list of expectations.”

Leaderim was established in 1995 and underwent a managementbuyout in 2001, becoming part of the Agam Group, one of the top 10insurance brokers in Israel. The brokerage services the insuranceand risk management needs of businesses of all sizes, particularlymedium-to-large firms.

The firm's management is headed by Oded Haimov, who has morethan 18 years experience in the business, and David Gordon, aformer chief underwriter at Ayalon Insurance Company.

Leaderim's working environment and processes are completelycomputerized and paperless, supporting the work of more than twodozen staff members, including four lawyers, on theproperty-casualty side, as well as 70 employees working under ItzikOz, the chair of Leaderim and managing director of Agama Leaderimfor life and benefits.

The firm's client list includes the large companies active inIsrael, including aviation businesses El Al and Arkia, along withmost corporate jets in the country; Mekorot, Israel's nationalwater company; Delek, the nation's largest oil and energy company;and all cable television companies operating in Israel.

Founded in 1954, Assurex Global combines the experience andexpertise of 20,000 professionals in every major city on sixcontinents, accounting for total annual premiums of $23 billion.Assurex Global Partners–only one per market–are selected bycapability, integrity, growth potential, quality and breadth ofservices. Additional information is available atwww.assurexglobal.com