The merger between UK broker associations the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) and the Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) was formalised in London last week.

IIB CEO Barbara Bradshaw and other IIB directors have agreed to join the BIBA board.

Ms Bradshaw has also become a member of the BIBA executive team, reporting to BIBA CEO Eric Galbraith. She will be responsible for integrating the IIB membership and developing a new group within BIBA focused on the issues that affect smaller firms. 

Both the BIBA and IIB brands will remain while the two organisations are brought together.

Mr Galbraith says the merger will create a single lobbying voice for UK insurance brokers.

“We have always strongly believed that one voice within the broking sector is needed and I believe that it is for the benefit of the sector that both organisations come together,” he said.

Ms Bradshaw says the organisation that will result from the merger “most certainly plays to the IIB’s strengths in its relationship with, and understanding of, the smaller insurance broking firms”.

BIBA has around 1800 members across the UK, while the IIB, with around 1000 members, has traditionally drawn its membership from smaller brokers across the south of the UK.