Insurance Advisernet (IA) Australia and Commonwealth Bank (CBA) will explore business opportunities and manage challenges under a new collaborative agreement.

MD Shaun Standfield says IA authorised representatives and CBA business bankers will share knowledge and expertise and build industry insights under the agreement.

“This is a real game-changer for the IA network, and the team is looking forward to working with the respective teams from CBA as our relationship grows,” he said.

“Insurance Advisernet has built a professional network of insurance professionals who are well equipped to assist local businesses with their insurance needs and to… share their expansive knowledge with professional bankers from CBA.”

IA has recruited former Suncorp Commercial Insurance head of direct distribution Nicole Mann to oversee the new collaboration.

As GM National Partnerships she will also manage IA’s other strategic customer partnerships and initiatives.

Mr Standfield says Ms Mann “is well known across the insurance industry, having spent many years at Suncorp in senior claims, service and distribution roles”.

Details of the collaboration were announced at the IA conference at Hamilton Island last week, where more than 400 delegates attended.

CBA Relationship Executive Anthony Cook told the conference the collaboration with IA “aligns with CBA’s aspirations to build deep relationships that aid in helping secure and enhance the financial wellbeing of our customers and communities in which we live and work”.