Johannesburg – Strategic Transfer Solutions (STS) Group has announced the 100% purchase of Aircraft Risk Company (ARC).
The move marks a significant milestone in the Group’s expansion into specialist aviation broking and strengthens its position as a leading African‑rooted intermediary with growing global reach.
Andrew Love, Founder and CEO of STS Group, said today, Thursday 2 July 2026, that the acquisition reflects both strategic alignment and shared values between the two companies.
“ARC is a highly respected aviation brokerage with deep expertise and a dominant position in the South African market,” he explained.
“For STS, this acquisition is not simply about scale, but also about bringing in a specialist capability that complements our broader corporate and reinsurance offering.
“The chemistry between our teams has been exceptional, and this is very much a partnership built for the long term.”
Founded in 2008, STS has grown from a South African startup into a multi-jurisdictional intermediary with operations in Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, Hong Kong and London.
The Group specialises in complex corporate risk, cross-border insurance structuring, and reinsurance solutions for insurers across the globe.
Its clients include major banks, large telecommunications companies, mining houses and technology companies, as well as insurers seeking reinsurance support across all classes of insurance.
“Our acquisition of ARC fills a long‑standing strategic gap. Aviation is one of the few specialist areas where independent brokers still dominate in South Africa,” said Love.
“ARC brings a level of technical depth and client trust that is difficult to replicate.
“Most aircraft owners also operate substantial businesses, and this transaction allows us to offer them a holistic solution – aviation, corporate risk and reinsurance – under one roof.”
ARC, established over 20 years ago by Darren Gallias, has built a reputation as a boutique aviation brokerage serving high-value aircraft owners, private jet clients, helicopter operators, charter businesses and regional airlines.
Its focus has always been on deep technical understanding rather than volume.
Stuart Farquhar, Managing Director of ARC, said joining STS unlocks new horizons for the aviation specialist.
“We’ve always believed in doing one thing exceptionally well, and that is aviation. But our clients increasingly want broader support across their businesses. Partnering with STS means we can finally say yes,” Farquhar noted.
“STS’s footprint across Africa, their reinsurance expertise, and their corporate advisory capability give us the ability to grow far beyond what a standalone aviation brokerage could achieve.”
He points out that Africa’s aviation sector is entering a period of accelerated growth, with tourism, offshore gas exploration, mining, industrialisation and private jet ownership all expanding across the continent.
“In many regions, aviation is the only viable mode of transport,” said Farquhar.
“The opportunities in markets such as Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia are enormous.
“Being part of STS positions us perfectly to serve that growth.”
STS expects the acquisition to strengthen its reinsurance offering to insurers across Africa, many of whom lack treaty protection for aviation risks and rely on facultative placements.
Love said he believes this is where the combined expertise becomes powerful.
“We already support insurers across Africa with reinsurance for mining, energy, industrial and casualty risks,” he said.
“Aviation has been underserved in many of these markets.
“ARC’s specialist knowledge, combined with our access to global capacity, means we can help insurers develop and protect their aviation portfolios more effectively.”
Beyond Africa, STS is expanding into Europe, Latin America and Asia, driven by demand from high‑net‑worth individuals and family offices for specialist insurance solutions.
Love said ARC will play a role in this global strategy.
“We are proudly African, but our growth is increasingly international,” he noted.
“We work with influential partners in Asia and are building capability in Europe and LATAM.
“ARC’s expertise in private jets and high-value aviation assets fits naturally into this global expansion.”
Despite the acquisition, ARC will continue operating under its existing brand for the foreseeable future, given its strong reputation in the aviation market.
Love emphasised that the transaction is about people as much as capability.
“This is not a buy‑and‑absorb deal. It’s a partnership,” he said.
“The entire ARC team is staying with us for the long haul.
“As STS continues to scale, having a strong bench of aviation specialists is critical.
“This acquisition strengthens our succession pipeline and deepens our technical expertise across the Group.”
Farquhar echoes this sentiment.
“For our staff, this is an opportunity to grow into new areas – reinsurance, cross‑border placements, complex corporate risk,” Farquhar said.
“It’s a chance to be part of something bigger while still doing what we do best.”
The acquisition is effective immediately.
ARC becomes a division of STS Group, with both companies committed to expanding aviation and complex‑risk solutions across Africa and into new global markets.
