Snakes and ladders

While there may be no venom in their bite, established broker networks seem to be intent on guarding their place in the market against new entrants. Martin Friel discusses whether there is room in the game for other network contenders and if their models will see them advance or slip at the roll of the dice

The new kid on the block always causes a bit of a stir. Think back to your school days - the new boy gets all the female attention as he is fresh and exciting but simultaneously attracts jealousy and hostility from the established males. But no matter how mature we think we become, those feelings of attraction or jealousy still apply all these years later, even in business.

This was no better demonstrated than in the recent spat between Broker Network and new entrant Our Network. The Broker