Rivers Insurance Brokers has taken a key step in its five-year strategy to double in size, securing a merger with Brisbane-based Austbrokers Premier.

The combined business will employ more than 40 staff and serve almost 7000 clients, making it one of the largest privately owned insurance brokerages in Queensland.

“Importantly, it will provide us with some serious scale in southeast Queensland and add further capability to our team throughout the state,” Rivers MD Don Tickle said.

Rivers, established in 1981, is also an Austbrokers member and has offices in Brisbane, Gladstone, Innisfail and Cairns.

Austbrokers Premier MD Scott Hastings says he looks forward to working in a team with the resources to be a serious force in broking.

The combined business will ultimately operate under the Rivers name.