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H. W. Kaufman Group
H.W. Kaufman Group was founded in 1969 by Herbert W. Kaufman as a single-office specialty insurance brokerage in Southfield, Michigan.
H. W. Kaufman Group
H.W. Kaufman Group was founded in 1969 by Herbert W. Kaufman as a single-office specialty insurance brokerage in Southfield, Michigan. Second-generation leader Alan Jay Kaufman acquired 100% of the company in 1996, taking it private and guiding it through decades of growth via acquisitions and organic expansion. The firm remains under family ownership and control as of 2026. The firm operates through a network of over 60 offices globally, with core divisions spanning specialty insurance brokerage, wholesale distribution, underwriting, and risk-bearing. In 2025, Kaufman consolidated its brands into three primary operating units: Burns & Wilcox, RB Jones, and Atain. The firm reports $3.4 billion in global sales for 2025 and does business in more than 90 countries. Kaufman maintains no separate AUM disclosures as a family office; its scale is measured by insurance premiums and annual revenue. The executive team, led by Alan Jay Kaufman, includes leaders across the operating companies. The firm has not disclosed total employee count, but operates via its global office network. Its philanthropic arm is community-focused, with employee resource groups and local giving programs. Unlike many family offices built on liquid financial assets, H.W. Kaufman Group's wealth is embedded in an operating insurance business — a structural differentiator that ties family capital directly to underwriting risk and brokerage operations. This ownership model grants the firm independence from public market pressures and allows long-term strategic flexibility.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1969
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Farmington Hills
Corporate office
Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States
Principals
Alan Jay Kaufman
Second-generation leader (Chairman/CEO)
Herbert W. Kaufman
Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at H.W. Kaufman Group?
Alan Jay Kaufman, the second-generation leader, has steered the firm since acquiring 100% ownership in 1996 (per firm website). The executive team listed on the firm's website guides day-to-day operations across the portfolio of insurance companies.
Is H.W. Kaufman Group a family office or an operating insurance company?
It is a privately held, family-owned specialty insurance organization that operates as a single-family office. Its wealth is generated through insurance brokerage, underwriting, and risk-bearing, not through a separate investment pool.
How does H.W. Kaufman Group generate proprietary deal flow?
As a wholesale broker and underwriting manager, Kaufman's proprietary flow comes from relationships with retail agents, carriers, and its own underwriting divisions. Its brand consolidation into Burns & Wilcox, RB Jones, and Atain in 2025 streamlined cross-selling and distribution.
What investment stages or asset classes does H.W. Kaufman Group target?
The firm does not publicly disclose a traditional investment portfolio. Its capital is deployed into specialty insurance operations, including brokerage, underwriting, and risk-bearing vehicles. The firm does not report a venture, private equity, or hedge fund allocation.
Does H.W. Kaufman Group participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
As an operating company, Kaufman's activities are direct — placing insurance policies and assuming underwriting risk. There is no public record of fund-of-funds or external manager commitments.
How is H.W. Kaufman Group related to Burns & Wilcox?
Burns & Wilcox, founded in 1969 by Herbert W. Kaufman, is the flagship wholesale brokerage division of H.W. Kaufman Group. In 2025, Burns & Wilcox became one of three consolidated brands — along with RB Jones and Atain — under the Kaufman parent entity.
Where does the underlying wealth of H.W. Kaufman Group come from?
The wealth originates from the specialty insurance brokerage and underwriting business established by Herbert W. Kaufman in 1969, and grown under Alan Jay Kaufman since 1996. The firm does not disclose personal net worth of the family.
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