The Richards Group to Merge with IPG Employee Benefits

The Richards Group is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to merge with IPG Employee Benefits, based in Keene, NH. The two firms have long been leaders in employee benefits consulting across the twin state region, and the merger further strengthens their collective offering to clients.

“We’re delighted to have Walter Rohr, John Round and their team join The Richards Group. IPG has an excellent team, strong client relationships and a terrific reputation”, said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group. “We’ve had clients in Keene for years and have had considerable growth in Cheshire County over the past decade. We’re thrilled to be part of the vibrant community in Keene and joining with IPG certainly deepens the commitment we’ve already made to the area.”

“We (IPG) are excited to be combining with another family-owned and locally-based organization that values integrity, respect, and hard work”, added John Round, President of IPG. “There is a natural fit between the two companies as we will immediately benefit from the resources and talent they have built in Vermont and they from our expertise and the personnel we have developed here in New Hampshire. Truly, our clients and the communities we will both continue to serve are the biggest winners in this merger.”

“Many of you likely know IPG by reputation and as an admired and respected competitor in the Employee Benefits space”, commented Tom Scull, Vice President of The Richards Group. “In combination with our existing Employee Benefits operations, this creates one of the most impressive and formidable Benefits organizations in Vermont, New Hampshire and frankly, beyond.”

The Richards Group will move their local employee benefits and insurance staff to IPG’s Washington Street offices, as they continue to hire in Keene. IPG will begin operating under The Richards Group name right away.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm has over 140 employees in 12 locations and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 4 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.

Bourdon Insurance Agency to Join The Richards Group

Bourdon Insurance Agency is pleased to announce that the firm has been acquired by The Richards Group effective October 1, 2019. The partnership with The Richards Group will benefit clients by ensuring that decisions and service remain local for years to come, while expanding client services and resources. The Bourdon staff will have a new office location at 94 Court Street in Middlebury.

“It means a lot to us that Sue Bourdon felt The Richards Group was the best fit to continue the excellent work that Bourdon Insurance has done over the decades,” said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group. “Their roots are as a Vermont based family business, just like ours at The Richards Group. We’re excited to make this investment in Middlebury and to continue to serve this vibrant community.”

“When we considered what firm was best for our clients, employees and the community, we knew The Richards Group was the right fit. The Richards Group is Vermont based and locally owned, and we have similar priorities and values,” commented Sue Bourdon, President of Bourdon Insurance Agency. “Our clients will benefit from the new insurance markets and technologies that The Richards Group will make available, along with their employee benefit and retirement plan consulting expertise.”

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm has over 130 employees in 12 locations and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 4 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.

The Richards Group named Best Employee Benefits Firm

The 2019 Best of Business Award winners have been announced by Vermont Business Magazine and The Richards Group has won as Best Employee Benefits Firm. This awards program celebrates the best Vermont companies in business-to-business categories.

“We’re very proud to be named Vermont’s Best Employee Benefits Company again in 2019,” said Tom Scull, Vice President at The Richards Group and leader for the Employee Benefits and HR Solutions business: “Many of the surveyed readers of VBM are clients and know first-hand how important employee benefits and HR Solutions are to a company. To be named a best-in-class provider in our field of expertise a second year supports our mission to be a team who is known for going above and beyond with team members who pay close attention to detail and trends in the industry. Congratulations to our team of employee benefits experts and thanks to our clients for the recognition.”

The Richards Group’s Employee Benefits and Human Resources practice employs a ‘360 Degree’ strategy that focuses on employee benefits in the broadest sense of the phrase. We provide unique attention designed to meet each individual client’s needs and understand the challenges that HR leaders balance between maintaining a healthy workforce and fiscal responsibility. To that end, we provide clients with plan design and budgeting strategies, wellness expertise, leadership and training, robust technologies and compliance insights. We take a holistic approach to ensuring you have a healthy, engaged and dynamic workforce.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm has over 130 employees in 12 locations and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 4 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.

Eddie Lewicki promoted to Commercial Risk Management Consultant at The Richards Group

The Richards Group is pleased to announce that Eddie Lewicki has been promoted to the Commercial Insurance and Risk Management team. Eddie will be based in The Richards Group’s Bennington and Manchester offices.

“I’ve been excited to take this step for some time now. We have a lot of important local businesses and non-profits as clients, and I’ll be able to help them manage their risks and contain costs”, commented Eddie Lewicki. “At The Richards Group we have a wide range of commercial insurance markets, expertise and technology and I know this will help me put my clients in the best possible position”.
“We are very happy to have Eddie as part of the Commercial Insurance team at TRG,” added Peter Richards, VP of Commercial Insurance and Risk Management. “Eddie brings a natural talent and relatability that will be very helpful to our clients. He’ll be a real asset to our clients in Bennington, Manchester and beyond”. Eddie is originally from Arlington and attended Burr and Burton Academy. He then moved on to Siena College, where he majored in History and pitched for the baseball team. He started his career with The Richards Group in 2016 as an Account Manager. Eddie resides in Sunderland with his wife. He enjoys coaching the Burr and Burton baseball team, volunteering his time helping youth organizations such as little league and Northshire hockey, and spending time golfing.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm currently has over 130 employees in 12 locations and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 4 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.

The Richards Group Named One of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Vermont

The Richards Group was recently named one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Vermont, an award created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

“At The Richards Group we are always looking for new ways to build and maintain our great company culture and this process is incredibly valuable to our continued growth,” said Antonia Crawford, Human Resources Manager at The Richards Group. “Our employees are our most important asset and it is key that they enjoy not just the work they do, but the teams they are a part of and the culture we have created, so they can be their best for our customers. I take a lot of pride in being able to say that we do a really good job of caring for our staff and supporting their growth. We are incredibly honored to have been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as one of the Best Places to Work.”

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm currently has over 125 employees and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.