Burlington Insurance Agency Joins The Richards Group, an IMA Company

Press Release, February 2026: The Richards Group, an IMA Company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Burlington Insurance Agency of Colchester, Vermont (“BIA”). A partnership with The Richards Group will benefit existing BIA clients by ensuring that decisions and service remain local for years to come, while expanding client services and resources. BIA’s staff will remain at their current office, located at 1241 Prim Road, Colchester, VT.

“It means a lot that Bill saw The Richards Group as the right fit to carry on the excellent work that Burlington Insurance Agency has built over the years,” said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group. “Both of our organizations have strong roots in Vermont, and we’re excited to invest further in the greater Burlington community while continuing Burlington Insurance Agency’s trusted commitment to its staff and clients throughout the region and beyond. We’re fortunate to have Bill and his team join TRG.”

“We carefully considered who to partner with for the future and are thrilled to be working with The Richards Group, a Vermont-based firm which has recently become part of IMA’s national platform,” commented Bill Bodette, owner of Burlington Insurance.  “The Richards Group shares our dedication to prioritizing people.  Keeping it local was the best fit for us, our clients, and our communities.  We encourage folks to come see what our expanded product line is all about!”

The Richards Group has made considerable commitments to serving the needs of communities throughout Vermont, with acquisitions in Rutland, Middlebury, Norwich, Springfield, Bethel, and now Colchester, expanding its presence in Chittenden County. As of January 1, 2026, the firm is now supported by the broader resources of IMA Financial Group.

The Richards Group, an IMA Company, is headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, and has provided local Insurance, Wealth Management, Retirement Plan, and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts for decades. The firm serves clients through 13 offices across Vermont and New Hampshire. In addition to insurance brokerage, The Richards Group offers consulting services to help employers with Safety, Wellness, Human Resources, Compensation Analysis, Recruiting, and Fiduciary Stewardship. The firm has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for each of the past 10 years by Vermont Biz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com

IMA Financial Group Partners with The Richards Group to Strengthen Healthcare, Education and Nonprofit Insurance Expertise in New England

IMA Financial Group, Inc., a North American insurance brokerage specializing in risk management, employee benefits and wealth management, announced today a strategic partnership with The Richards Group, a family-owned independent insurance brokerage and advisory firm serving New England.

Effective December 31, 2025, the partnership unites The Richards Group’s 160 employees and 28,000 clients across Vermont, New Hampshire and beyond, with IMA’s national platform and specialty capabilities.

“The Richards Group’s long-standing commitment to New England communities and deep expertise in healthcare, education and nonprofit sectors is exactly what we look for in a partner,” said IMA Chairman and CEO Rob Cohen. “Together, we’ll deliver enhanced capabilities while preserving the local leadership and relationships that clients value.”

With headquarters in Brattleboro, Vermont, The Richards Group serves clients with 13 offices throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. The firm will maintain its local offices and leadership, while its 160 employees will join IMA and become shareholders.

“We are excited to join IMA, a company that shares our dedication to clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work,” said The Richards Group Principal Drew Richards. “For many years, we’ve grown and evolved to best support our clients. This partnership represents the next step in our journey – we can expand capabilities, strengthen services and make our employees shareholders, all while keeping our local teams in place.”

The Richards Group has earned recognition as one of Vermont’s Best Places to Work for 10 consecutive years. The firm’s positive culture extends to sponsorship of Dartmouth Athletics and deep involvement in the New England communities it has served for decades.

IMA has built a national presence through strategic partnerships and organic growth, including recent expansions in the Southeast. The Richards Group partnership adds New England to its growing footprint and deepens its specialty expertise in education, healthcare and nonprofit sectors.

About IMA Financial Group

IMA Financial Group is an independent broker, defining the future of insurance through comprehensive and consultative risk and investment advisory services. A majority employee-owned and managed company, its 2,700-plus associates in offices across the country are empowered by a shared mission to manage risk, protect assets and make a difference.