Independent Bristol based insurance broker Malago Insurance Brokers (Malago) is celebrating its tenth anniversary on 22 January 2026, marking a decade of steady, values led growth built on personal service, local knowledge, and long term client relationships.
Founded in January 2016 by Managing Director and Owner Mathew Rowles, Malago began as a one person operation serving businesses with a focus on Bristol and the South West.
“I was buzzing. It was an exciting opportunity. When you’re sat at your kitchen table with a hand me down laptop, which is exactly what happened, and I’m regulated, got all my branding sorted, my website’s done… now I’m going to get some clients,” said Mathew. “Looking back, of course, the reality was I didn’t have any money. And it took me 18 months to build a business where I could actually draw some money. When I look back, I think that was quite risky, and I’m not a big risk taker, but it’s worked.”
Ten years on, the business has grown into a multi member team, completed its first acquisition in January 2024, and established a strong reputation as a trusted independent broker operating at the heart of its community.
Mathew launched Malago after experiencing how consolidation across the insurance market was eroding the personal service traditionally associated with independent brokerage.
“When I started Malago, it was about getting back to what insurance should be,” Mathew explained. “Real advice, proper conversations, and actually going out to see clients. Whatever size business you run, you’re exposed to risk, and everyone deserves to have expertise and advice they can count on.”
Named after the five-mile River Malago which runs through South Bristol, the business has remained firmly rooted in its local area while supporting clients across Bristol and beyond. Based in BS14, Malago focuses on building long term relationships with businesses that value the personal touch, consistency, accessibility, and informed advice that goes beyond transactional insurance placement.
Born and educated locally, Mathew is a Bristolian through and through, with deep personal and professional connections across the city. That familiarity has played a central role in Malago’s growth, helping to build trust quickly and organically. One of the business’s very first clients was a local window company run by someone Mathew went to school with, an early indication of the trust and confidence placed in him and his approach.
Growth has been driven largely by recommendation, something Mathew remains most proud of. Client referrals continue to be a primary source of new business.
“There’s a lot to be proud of, but the biggest achievement for me is getting a call from a new potential customer and they say, ‘your existing customer, Joe, has recommended you’,” he said. “Word of mouth is where we’ve got a lot of our business. If you’re being recommended, you must be doing a good job.”
As an Appointed Representative of Momentum Broker Solutions, Malago operates with the freedom of independence, supported by a framework designed to remove operational and administrative burden. The Momentum proposition enables Broker Partners to run their own businesses with confidence, providing comprehensive regulatory, compliance, and administrative support, while allowing business owners to remain focused on their clients and their people.
Howard Pepper, Managing Director at Momentum Broker Solutions, has known Mathew for some time:
“I have known Mathew for many years and first worked with him over 20 years ago. His accomplishments are remarkable, building from scratch a business to be proud of. Mathew is a Bristolian through and through and has made a tremendous contribution to his local community both professionally and through his charitable work. It has been a pleasure partnering with him and I look forward to many more successful years.”
Key milestones include the appointment of the first employee in 2021, subsequent team expansion, and the successful acquisition of a likeminded local brokerage (Mulberry Insurance Brokers) in early 2024, ensuring continuity of service for clients and alignment of values.
Alongside commercial growth, Malago has maintained a strong commitment to giving back. Through the Malago Insurance Community Fund and local sponsorship activity, the business has invested around £5,000 into community initiatives across South Bristol, supporting food banks, schools, care homes, grassroots sports clubs, and families in need.
“We are based in South Bristol, a place I grew up and live in, so I thought, why not support my local area,” Mathew said. “The first project we did was a food bank contribution where we spent over £200. With the Community Fund, it’s not about spending lots of money or making a big noise. Small things, done consistently, can make a real difference to people locally.”
As Malago enters its second decade, the focus remains on sustainable growth, continued investment in people, and deepening its impact as an independent broker built on trust, integrity, and local connection.
“Being independent gives us the freedom to do things properly,” Mathew added. “A business turning over this much is one thing, but we’ve succeeded in what we wanted to do. We’ve grown a business by looking after local businesses, doing the right thing, going to see them, and giving them advice. At the same time, we’ve been able to use that success to help local good causes.”
Mathew is keen to see a new generation of business owners make the most of their talents.
“I always say that if you’re good at what you do, you get on with people, and you work hard, you’re going to do well. Insurance isn’t that interesting either, so if people can deal with someone they get on with, it all comes down to personal connection.”
