As Collins approaches its 20th anniversary, it can point to a record of steady expansion into virtually all lines of reinsurance and an increased presences in the world's major reinsurance markets.

1987: The company is formed with a specialist focus

1989: Collins expands into reinsurance for life and accident & health insurance companies

1997: Collins opens office in Dallas, Tx., the first branch office outside of the company's Minneapolis, Minn. headquarters

1998: The company opens a second branch office, in San Francisco, Calif.

2001: Collins expands its market presence with four major steps:

• Forming John B. Collins (Bermuda) Ltd., establishing an active and visible presence in the increasingly important Bermuda marketplace;
• Establishing its first on-the-ground London market presence through a joint venture with an established London broker;
• Opening a third branch office, in Burlington, N. C.; and
• Entering the professional liability reinsurance market.

2003: Collins opens a branch office in New York City

2005: Collins establishes a fully owned subsidiary in the London market, John B. Collins (UK) Ltd. The operation is accredited by Lloyd's of London and licensed by the U.K. Financial Services Authority, providing clients with access to a full complement of services and representation in the London market.

The company becomes the first reinsurance intermediary to open a Florida office (in Tampa) to serve clients in the Gulf Coast region.

2006: A year of leadership and expanded capabilities:

• An experienced team of property and casualty facultative brokers joins Collins. The property team opens a new Collins office in Hartford, Conn.
• Collins establishes a clear position of leadership in reinsurance placement for medical liability insurance clients.
• Collins adds new capabilities in the brokerage of industry loss warranties
• The company opens new offices in Seattle, Wash. and Orange County, Calif. to expand its services to clients in the western United States.

2007: Collins' expertise and market presence continue to expand

• Collins Capital Advisors LLC is formed to provide investment banking and capital markets services to companies in the insurance and reinsurance marketplace
• Collins opens a new office in Philadelphia