Ausure Insurance Brokers has completed a 12-month project integrating the client portfolios and authorised representatives of AFM, in the process increasing the Ausure business from 90 offices to more than 150 nationally, with more than 400 authorised representatives.

Former AFM CEO Scott McCarthy, who is now GM of Ausure Insurance Brokers, says Ausure brokers have a decision to make about how they run their businesses.

“Ausure had 90 branches that were run as independent broking houses, while we [AFM] centralised all processing, marketing and insurance placements,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “The Ausure guys have the choice as to whether they want to join those arrangements.

“Centralisation will be very attractive to smaller regional operators who find it difficult to get staff, while bigger guys in metropolitan areas with, say, a dozen staff might not find it attractive.”

Head office staff from both companies have been retained and the merged group has joint headquarters in Brisbane and Newcastle.

Ausure MD Troy Brown will stay in the role, as will Chairman Wayne Brown. Graeme Lilley has become EM Operations and Trent Brown is EM Distribution under the merger.

Ausure joined Steadfast earlier this year.