Broking joint venture A&I Member Services (AIMS) will continue in its current form following an internal review by stakeholders Austbrokers and IBNA.

Five years after AIMS was created to provide a joint marketing presence, improved member services, efficiencies and economy of scale, both major broker organisations agree the arrangement is working well.

GM Martin McAvenna says Austbrokers and IBNA have reaffirmed their commitment to the venture.

“Both shareholders have expressed satisfaction with the benefits the member brokers get,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “For us, it’s just business as usual.”

He says the agreement to continue “is really just a refreshment from both parties and a confirmation that this is something they wish to continue and be aggressive with”.

Following the review of the 2007 Austbrokers and IBNA agreement, both parties have decided future reviews will be conducted “only if necessary”, Mr McAvenna says.

Besides continuing to update product services, AIMS will also launch training services for members in the next 12 months.

“We do some work in training now but we are looking to add to it,” Mr McAvenna said. “We want to shape our training towards the personal development of brokers, the practice of broking and client relationships.

“We want to draw a distinction between product and sales and how a broker transacts with a client.”