Broker group IBNA has decided to continue the development of its broker management platform BrokerCentral without the involvement of the system’s designer, Andrew Bennett.

Mr Bennett, who owns Melbourne-based insurance software developer InsuranceConnect, formed a joint venture with IBNA in October last year to further develop BrokerCentral and maintain it. The relationship will end on December 31.

On May 31 last year insuranceNEWS.com.au reported that InsuranceConnect was negotiating with rival broker group Steadfast, which was developing its own broker platform. The negotiations were terminated by Steadfast in early July.

BrokerCentral, which handles quotes, policies, claims and supporting documentation, is wholly owned by IBNA.

IBNA Chairman Gary Gribbin told insuranceNEWS.com.au the broker group remains committed to BrokerCentral.

“Version two of BrokerCentral has now been installed in the offices of several users, and further enhancement work will of course be undertaken to improve functionality,” he said.

“We will work with the board [of BrokerCentral] to continue the rollout of what we believe to be an excellent broker management system.”

BrokerCentral is chaired by Brisbane-based IBNA board member Peter Roberts. A statement from the company says BrokerCentral decided to “source its technical support resources from a new provider”.

Mr Bennett said in the same statement that his company “has been repositioning its business strategy to focus on its underwriter and insurer business”.