Broker Aviso Group is strengthening its presence in Victoria, announcing its Western Insurance Brokers in Colac will merge with Geelong-based Integral Insurance Services.

The merged businesses will form Aviso Integral at the end of this month and will have a combined $30 million in gross written premium.

“This merger is a key part of our strategic plan to expand our reach across regional Victoria,” Aviso Group CEO Craig Robson said in a statement.

He says the two brokerages are not only geographically aligned but also a great cultural fit as the business aims to strengthen its presence in the area.

“We are excited this is only the start of the growth plans for this business,” Mr Robson said.

Integral Insurance Services serves clients throughout Australia, including the Great Ocean Road, Geelong and Bellarine regions, as well as the Yarra Valley. It offers a range of tailored solutions including for the farming industry, hospitality and tourism, personal assets and construction.

“Together with Western Insurance Brokers in Colac and Ballarat, the business covers regional Victoria,” the statement says.

Aviso Integral will be led by Western Insurance Brokers Director Marc Montano and Integral Insurance Services Director Darren Halley.

Michael Williamson and Jason Forrest, previous directors of Western Insurance Brokers and Integral, will continue in the new business in Senior Broking and Advisory roles.

“Both [Mr Williamson] and I, and the whole team, are incredibly proud of what we have created at Western over the past 17 years,” Mr Montano said.

“By joining forces with … the team at Integral, we are in a position to use our scale to continue to improve the experience our customers and staff receive.”

Mr Halley says the move to merge is the “natural next step” for Integral as the business looks to continue to grow and expand across regional Victoria

“We have known [Mr Montano] and [Mr Williamson] for many years and look forward to the future within Aviso.”

Aviso Group is backed by Envest, an independent and privately owned insurance investment and distribution business with interests in brokers, agencies and insurtechs.

The Aviso Group is made up of Aviso WA Insurance Brokers, Fitzpatrick & Co Insurance Brokers (Victoria), Aviso Broking (Queensland/NSW), Aviso Select (National), Acumen Insurance Brokers (NSW), Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers (Tasmania), Grange Insurance Solutions (WA), North Queensland Insurance Brokers (Queensland).