Reportage - state of the market: Caring for the community

There was a time when networks were touted as the best alternative to brokers that did not want to sell out to a consolidator. Louise Meeson assesses the current state of the market and asks if the same arguments in support of network membership still hold.

There once was a time when belonging to a network appeared to be the only way brokers, that did not want to sell out to the mighty consolidators, could survive and thrive. However, as insurers make moves to improve access for smaller regional intermediaries, are networks as relevant as they once were? Are brokers better off opting for the support of a network or forging their own path and remaining in complete control of their destiny?

Undoubtedly, the network model is a runaway success. The