Choice Financial Group hires John Middleton for M&A role

Choice Financial Group said June 23, 2026, that John Middleton has joined the insurance distribution platform as a mergers and acquisitions specialist. The hire is aimed at helping the Richmond-based company source deals as it keeps expanding nationally.

Why it matters: - Choice Financial Group is adding a senior dealmaker to support continued national expansion. - The hire signals that mergers and acquisitions remain a core growth strategy for the insurance distribution platform. - Middleton’s background spans agency operations, growth, retention and brokerage relationships, which could help CFG identify and execute partnerships.

What happened: - Choice Financial Group announced that John Middleton joined the organization as a mergers and acquisitions specialist. - Middleton will focus exclusively on sourcing strategic merger and acquisition opportunities for Choice Financial Group. - The company is based in Richmond, Virginia. - The announcement was dated June 23, 2026.

The details: - Middleton brings more than 40 years of leadership and insurance industry experience. - His background includes agency operations, strategic growth, client retention and mergers and acquisitions. - Prior roles included senior leadership and M&A positions at Patriot Growth Insurance Services, USI Insurance Services, AssuredPartners, Wells Fargo Insurance Services and Marsh USA. - Middleton has led growth initiatives across property and casualty, employee benefits, surety and private risk divisions. - Choice Financial Group said it is expanding its national footprint through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. - The company said agencies gain access to broader resources, carrier relationships, operational support and growth opportunities through those partnerships. - CFG described itself as one of the fastest-growing insurance distribution platforms in the country. - CFG also described itself as a rapidly growing insurance distribution platform focused on partnering with high-performing insurance agencies across the United States. - The company’s website is choice.partners.

Between the lines: - Bringing in an executive with long brokerage and M&A experience suggests CFG wants to sharpen its buy-side sourcing as competition for agency deals remains active. - The focus on partnership and long-term vision indicates CFG is trying to differentiate itself as more than a financial buyer, aiming to appeal to agency owners looking for operational support. - Middleton’s prior experience across multiple large insurance platforms could help CFG deepen relationships inside the brokerage community.

What's next: - Middleton is expected to begin identifying merger and acquisition opportunities that fit CFG’s expansion plans. - Choice Financial Group is likely to continue pairing acquisitions with partnership-driven growth as it builds out its national platform. - The company will keep offering merger partners access to resources, carrier relationships and operational support as it pursues further expansion.