Major cluster group Steadfast will meet with members in March to discuss its future plans. While Chairman Robert Kelly is keen to downplay speculation, there are plenty of rumours buzzing around the market at present about possible mergers, private equity-funded takeovers and corporatisations. Much of it has centred on Steadfast, the largest and last of the three main clusters to sort out new arrangements.

As reported late last year, IBNA and Austbrokers now have an agreement in place to work towards a closer relationship. Now Steadfast has shown its hand – or at least admitted it’s not sitting back and waiting to be picked off.

The Steadfast board will meet with members to discuss a “range of opportunities” facing the group.

Mr Kelly told Sunrise Exchange News he’s not at liberty to discuss details, but Steadfast has been looking at several opportunities over the past two years.

“As the biggest insurance distribution network in the country it would be foolish not to look at opportunities for the group and put them to our members,” he said.

Mr Kelly says the Steadfast has asked its members to attend a meeting the day before its annual convention in Brisbane in mid-March.

“Our current structure is strong, robust and extremely successful,” he said. “We’re just looking at opportunities along the way.”