Global broker network update

Six new firms joined Worldwide Broker Network at their November 2007 bi-annual conference in Amsterdam bringing the total membership to 67 in 50 countries.

WBN, now in its 17th year, was founded by myself in conjunction with Manfred Karle of the German broker Suedvers Gruppe. Established to provide an opportunity for a small number of independent insurance brokers to serve their clients following the introduction of the Single European Market in 1992, the network has now grown to the world's largest association of independent insurance brokers, employing more than 20,000 people and handling aggregate premiums in excess of $25bn (£12.7bn).

The highlights of the meeting were the appointment of David Harpur, former chief executive officer of Glenrand MIB, WBN's South African member, to carry out an in depth review of WBN's structure, operational needs and future resource requirements.

Harpur said: "I am tremendously excited to be taking on this appointment at such an important time in WBN's development. This is a period of exceptional opportunity for WBN members and their clients and we must ensure that the network continues to deliver the outstanding support and resources which have been the foundation of its successful growth."

Of great interest to members was a progress report on the phase II upgrading of the network award-winning RiskClick IT platform. The new system, being developed at a substantial cost to members, will be operational by the summer of 2007.

The new members mentioned above are from Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Singapore and one additional firm from each of the UK and the USA. The delegation were told that further new members will be introduced at the spring 2007 meeting in Washington DC, from Indonesia, Philippines, Peru and Vietnam.

The Asia Pacific region has been a major growth area of recent years, recognised by a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur in August and a planned meeting in Shanghai in August 2007.

As is now usual WBN members headed a client/prospect symposium prior to the Amsterdam conference then afterwards took a two hour bus-ride to Cologne to present the symposium again in Germany.