Affinity Group Underwriters launched a new affiliated company to offer group health, employee benefits and human resources services.

The Glen Allen, Va.-based managing underwriter of specialty group health and life insurance products has formed the new company Affinity Brokers & Consultants, to serve small- and mid-sized businesses.

The new company will based in Glen Allen, with offices in Naples, Fla., and Brantford, Ontario. The Ontario office will serve Canadian companies with subsidiary operations in the United States.

The new company expects to open several additional offices in the U.S. over the next five years and anticipates adding up to 35 positions, said Thomas A. Wyss, managing director, in a statement.

Wyss said the new company expands on the work of Affinity Group Underwriters. “AGU has historically been an underwriting services organization working behind-the-scenes on behalf of insurance carriers,” Wyss said. “ABC will bring AGU’s experience and expertise, particularly in the area of health insurance, directly to the service of businesses and their employees.”

Affinity Group Underwriters, founded in 1997, is a privately-owned company that develops and manages group insurance programs on behalf of insurance carriers for employer groups and associations. AGU is based in the Richmond area and operates nationwide with a primary focus on health insurance.