1291 Group
1291 Group is a privately held, independent insurance broker that designs and places wealth protection and cross-border estate planning structures — primarily Private Placement Life Insurance — for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families across 35+ licensed jurisdictions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What 1291 Group does
1291 Group is a privately held, independent insurance broker founded in Zurich in 2000 by Marc-André Sola that designs, structures, and places insurance-based wealth protection and cross-border estate planning solutions for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. The firm's core product set is anchored in Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and adjacent wrappers — Variable Universal Life (VUL), Indexed Universal Life (IUL), Whole Life, Universal Life, Term Life, Takaful, and Savings & Annuities — sourced from a curated panel of 50+ insurance carriers and delivered through a proprietary advisory methodology called PATEC (Privacy, Asset Protection, Tax, Estate, Cash/Liquidity). It holds brokerage licenses in 35+ countries and offers tax-compliant wealth structuring solutions in 60+ jurisdictions, with legally registered entities in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva), Liechtenstein, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai (DIFC), Panama, and — following the May 2026 acquisition of IPG — the United States (New Jersey).
1291 Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 1291 Group
- Legal name
- 1291 Group Holding Ltd.
- Website
- https://1291group.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- 1291 Group is a privately held, independent insurance broker that designs and places wealth protection and cross-border estate planning structures — primarily Private Placement Life Insurance — for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families across 35+ licensed jurisdictions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
1291 Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wealth Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions) (FSAAACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Risk Management & Insurance Advisory for Families (FSAAADAK), Whole Life / UL Policy Riders & Add-ons (e.g., Waiver of Premium, Accidental Death, Child Term, LTC/Chronic Illness) (FSAIABAK)
Keywords
Where 1291 Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
1291 Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Advisory and Brokerage Services: 1291 Group generates revenue as an independent insurance broker by advising high-net-worth families on insurance-based wealth protection solutions. The company works with over 50 insurance companies across 16 jurisdictions, earning commissions and fees for placing insurance policies and providing ongoing advisory services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke wealth protection solutions - pricing determined by individual assessment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
1291 Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
1291 Group is an independent insurance broker that advises high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families on insurance-based wealth protection solutions, placing policies with 50+ insurance companies across 16+ jurisdictions. The firm delivers bespoke cross-border solutions covering Private Placement Life Insurance, Variable/Indexed/Universal/Whole of Life/Term Life Insurance, Takaful, Savings & Annuities, and integrated wealth & estate planning advisory grounded in its proprietary PATEC framework.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) A tailored life insurance solution allowing high-net-worth families to hold diverse assets (hedge funds, private equity, real estate, crypto, collectibles) within an insurance wrapper, offering tax-deferred growth, privacy, asset protection and estate planning benefits. Targeted at HNW and UHNW families with complex cross-border needs.
- Variable Universal Life Insurance (VUL) Combines flexible investment options with life insurance protection, allowing policyholders to allocate among various investment sub-accounts while providing death benefits and cash value accumulation. Designed for HNW clients seeking investment-linked life insurance.
- Takaful Shariah-compliant mutual insurance solution based on cooperative risk-sharing principles, providing wealth protection for families seeking Islamic finance-compliant structures. Targeted at HNW families requiring Shariah-compliant wealth solutions.
- Term Life Insurance Traditional life insurance providing coverage for a specified term, offering affordable protection for temporary needs. Designed for clients seeking time-bounded life cover.
- Whole of Life Insurance Permanent life insurance providing guaranteed coverage throughout the policyholder's lifetime, with accumulated cash value and guaranteed death benefit. Targeted at HNW clients seeking lifelong coverage and estate transfer.
- Universal Life Insurance Flexible permanent life insurance allowing adjustable premiums and death benefits while building cash value based on credited interest rates. Designed for HNW clients needing premium flexibility within a permanent policy.
- Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) Universal life insurance with cash value growth linked to market indices (such as S&P 500) with downside protection (typically 0% floor), offering premium flexibility and asset protection. Targeted at HNW clients seeking index-linked growth potential.
- Savings & Annuities Long-term annuity vehicles for income planning and savings accumulation, providing guaranteed income streams and financial flexibility. Targeted at HNW clients seeking retirement and longevity planning solutions.
- Wealth & Estate Planning Advisory Cross-border advisory services helping families structure, protect and grow wealth across borders, integrating insurance solutions with trusts, foundations and family governance frameworks. Targeted at HNW and UHNW families needing coordinated cross-border estate planning.
- 1291 Group Americas (US Wealth Advisory Services) US-market wealth advisory and life insurance brokerage offering for HNW families, operating through the acquired International Planning Group (IPG) under the 1291 Group Americas brand from Wellesley, Massachusetts. Provides onshore US access to US-domiciled insurance carriers and products.
Companies that use 1291 Group
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
1291 Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
1291 Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- International Planning Group (IPG)core1291 Group acquired International Planning Group (IPG) in 2026. IPG operates as a wholly owned subsidiary under the 1291 Group Americas brand, providing continuity for existing clients and advisers while accelerating growth across the Americas.
- KPMGcoreKPMG Law Cyprus collaborated with 1291 Group to host an event on Cyprus International Trusts and Private Placement Life Insurance. KPMG provided legal expertise on Cyprus International Trust structures in modern legacy planning.
- CypromancoreCyproman Services Ltd partnered with 1291 Group for the Cyprus event, providing expertise on trustees, trust administration in Cyprus, and tax regime governing Cyprus International Trusts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
1291 Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lombard International Assurance: Luxembourg-headquartered specialist in Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and unit-linked insurance-based wealth structuring for UHNW families. Closest direct competitor to 1291 Group's PPLI-led, cross-border HNW insurance advisory model.
- Crown Global Insurance: US-based life insurance carrier specializing in bespoke life insurance solutions for HNW and UHNW clients, including high-value permanent and survivorship policies. Comparable as a specialist insurer in the niche 1291 Group serves through IPG Americas.
- deVere Group (formerly AES International): Independent international financial advisory group providing wealth, investment, and insurance-based planning solutions to globally mobile HNW clients. Operates as a direct competitor in cross-border HNW insurance advisory.
- Globaleye (Aspiro Global): International wealth advisory and insurance brokerage serving HNW expatriates and globally mobile families in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Direct peer in the cross-border HNW insurance brokerage category.
Broad incumbents
- Utmost International (formerly Friends Provident International): Cross-border life insurance and wealth planning provider serving HNW clients across multiple jurisdictions. Operates as a broader incumbent in the same international life insurance and wealth structuring category as 1291 Group.
- Quilter International (formerly Old Mutual International): Large cross-border wealth and investment platform offering international life insurance, investment bonds, and estate planning solutions to internationally mobile HNW clients. A broad incumbent peer in 1291's category.
- Generali Worldwide: Generali Group's international life insurance arm providing unit-linked, whole life, and savings products for HNW clients across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Overlaps with 1291 Group's traditional life insurance and PPLI offerings.
Others
- TMF Group: Global provider of administrative, fiduciary, and wealth structuring services to HNW families, family offices, and their advisers. Complements rather than competes directly with 1291, but serves the same client base with adjacent trust, foundation, and cross-border services.
- Henley & Partners: Global leader in residence and citizenship by investment and related cross-border wealth advisory. Adjacent to 1291 Group's cross-border planning franchise: both serve internationally mobile HNW families navigating multi-jurisdictional tax, estate, and residency issues.
Regional players
- Sovereign Group (Sovereign PFS / Hawksford): International provider of trust, corporate, and wealth structuring services for HNW individuals and family offices, with strong presence in Guernsey, Jersey, and other Crown Dependencies. Comparable as a multi-jurisdictional wealth structuring peer operating primarily in alternative offshore centers to 1291's Swiss/European base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
1291 Group social profiles
Digital presence1291 Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
1291 Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
1291 Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
1291 Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
1291 Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 1291 Group
What does 1291 Group do?
1291 Group is an independent insurance broker that advises high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families on insurance-based wealth protection solutions, placing policies with 50+ insurance companies across 16+ jurisdictions. The firm delivers bespoke cross-border solutions covering Private Placement Life Insurance, Variable/Indexed/Universal/Whole of Life/Term Life Insurance, Takaful, Savings & Annuities, and integrated wealth & estate planning advisory grounded in its proprietary PATEC framework.
Is 1291 Group a public or private company?
1291 Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 1291 Group founded?
1291 Group was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 1291 Group based?
1291 Group is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does 1291 Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: insurance Advisory and Brokerage Services.
Who are 1291 Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lombard International Assurance, Crown Global Insurance, deVere Group (formerly AES International) and Globaleye (Aspiro Global). Broad incumbents are Utmost International (formerly Friends Provident International), Quilter International (formerly Old Mutual International) and Generali Worldwide. Others are TMF Group and Henley & Partners. Sovereign Group (Sovereign PFS / Hawksford) is listed as a regional player.
Does 1291 Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for 1291 Group.
What industry is 1291 Group in?
1291 Group's product category is Wealth Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAACAI, Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions), with a secondary code of FSAAADAK, Risk Management & Insurance Advisory for Families. Its NAICS code is 524210 and its SIC code is 6411.