Since 1923..

Almost a century of history can be summed up in two words:
diversification and internationalization

Groupe Burrus made its debut in 1923 in Strasbourg, with the creation of ESCA by the Burrus family. It was in 1991 that Christian Burrus took over the management of ESCA. In 2004, AFI EUROPE (Lille) joined the group, which enabled it to add the borrower to its Life and Capitalisation activities. It was in 2010 that the two companies became AFI-ESCA. Today, AFI-ESCA operates in France, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg.

In addition, in 2008, Christian Burrus decided to diversify into brokerage by acquiring the firm DIOT, itself already present throughout France thanks to multiple subsidiaries, and internationally thanks to the EOS RISQ network. In 2010, the group strengthened its position by becoming the majority shareholder of LSN, a brokerage firm dedicated to regulated professions including notaries. Since then, Groupe Burrus has continued to grow, acquiring multiple regional and European specialist brokerage firms.

The service companies Custy, for insurance, and Adhoc, for brokerage, provide business software.

In 2021, Christian Burrus is approaching the brokerage company Siaci Saint Honoré with the ambition of accelerating growth and strengthening the position of the new group in France and internationally on the market for large companies, ETIs, SMEs and professions. regulated in personal insurance as well as property and casualty insurance, credit insurance and reinsurance.

Burrus Group, all branches combined, is now present in Belgium, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Principality of Monaco and Switzerland, it has nearly 1,500 employees.

Values built over time

HISTORICAL

1923
1965
1991
2004 – 2010
2008
2010
2012
2012-2020
2017
2019
2020

1923

Birth of ESCA

ESCA (Est.-Capitalization) was created on January 9 in Strasbourg at the initiative of a group of Alsatian personalities.

Led by Maurice Burrus, its founder and first president, the company offered Alsatians the opportunity to build capital in a privileged financial framework.

ESCA has grown dramatically. After a difficult start in a very competitive environment, this life insurance capitalization company generated enough profits to embark in 1932 on the construction of a new head office, rue des Pontonniers, which would become the Palais de l’Habitat moderne.

1965

Commercial boom

True to its ambition, ESCA is expanding and establishing itself in the various French departments, a real commercial boom that has led the company to cover 80% of the territory.

From 1975 to 1989, a well-established organization and a range of attractive financial products enabled ESCA to increase its turnover tenfold.

1991

Taken over by Christian Burrus

It was in 1991 that Christian Burrus, (3rd generation) took over from his father Paul as Managing Director.

Now is the time to diversify products and redesign their marketing; the creation of life insurance contracts and the establishment of an external brokerage network.

2004 – 2010

Acquisition of AFI Europe and merger in 2010

ESCA acquires insurance company AFI Europe (Lille). With this acquisition, the group diversifies its activities and adds the Borrower to its Life and Capitalization activities.

In 2010, AFI Europe and ESCA Prévoyance, by merging, became AFI ESCA.

2008

First turn to brokerage

In addition, in 2008, Christian Burrus decided to diversify into brokerage by becoming the main shareholder of the firm DIOT, itself already present since 1881 throughout France thanks to multiple subsidiaries, and internationally thanks to the EOS RISQ network.

2010

Brokerage development

In 2010, Christian Burrus strengthened his position by becoming the majority shareholder of the brokerage firm LSN Assurances, founded in 1960.

Specialist in Professional Civil Liability, LSN Assurances has been the broker for regulated professions, including notaries, for more than 50 years.

Since then, brokerage companies have continued to grow, acquiring multiple specialist regional or European brokerage firms.

2012

Modern times and internationalization

In 2012, a new real estate project provided a new head office for AFI ESCA. The inauguration of the new, resolutely modern headquarters marks the desire of the almost century-old company to keep up with the times and to be “a company for life”.

These years will also mark the expansion of the insurance branch internationally, in Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg.

2012-2020

Strengthening brokerage activities

The growth of the Groupe Burrus brokerage is marked by numerous integrations of brokerage firms in France, Italy, Switzerland and Monaco.
  • 2012 -Acquisition of FAPE OBSEQUES, an insurance broker specializing in funeral guarantees, which will be followed by the purchase of LE VOEU FUNERAIRE.
  • 2015 – Acquisition of a majority stake in QUALIBROKER ROMANDIE SA, brokerage in French-speaking Switzerland.
  • 2016 – Acquisition of 49% of QUALIBROKER, a Swiss German broker headquartered in Zurich.
  • 2019 – Strengthening of the CENTER LOIRE activities through the acquisition of the CABINET JALOUNEIX. Creation of DIOT CENTRE LOIRE (ORLEANS) through the acquisition of the firm GRISON & BOIRY.

2017

Development of the technology center

Since January 1, 2017, the Burrus Technologies Group GIE has been in charge of the Group’s IT activities. He works for nearly fifteen companies for:

  • Office Infrastructure Group
  • Insurance Division Studies and Developments
  • Brokerage Studies and Developments
  • Security, Data Protection, Processes and Purchasing

Development of ADHOC GTI, a publisher of IT solutions for insurance professionals.
Integration in 2018 of Custy, an IT company specializing in business process automation software for banks and insurance companies.

2019

Group of companies in Paris

The year 2019 marks the move of Parisian companies to 1 rue des Italiens PARIS 9e.

2020

Development

Development of the Burrus Group employer brand through the creation of a Burrus Group website and the materialization of a base of common values. For brokerage, acquisition of APRIL’s P&C business insurance portfolio through its regional subsidiary DIOT Rhône-Alpes, which thus becomes one of the leading brokers in the business sector in LYON and in the Rhône-Alpes region.