BIG gets bigger

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Auckland-based business risk firm Solutions Financial Services (SFS) has merged with dealer group Brokers' Independent Group (BIG).

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 4:28PM

by David Chaplin

Kevin Smee, BIG chief and SFS sales director/co-founder, said the dealer group could carry out a few more similar mergers as part of its expansion strategy.

"The nature of the business has changed," Smee said. "We're evolving, we're growing quickly."

BIG currently has 27 "independent brands", representing over 100 insurance advisers, operating under its umbrella but he said the long-term goal was to increase that number by two or three times.

According to Smee, BIG has deliberately kept a low-profile but was already one of the largest "independent" risk advisory networks in New Zealand.

He said BIG was focused on bringing in new advisers into the industry and had developed an extensive training program to grow fresh talent and maintain the skills of experienced advisers.

As well, BIG operates primarily in the business risk market and has built an extensive network of lawyers and accountants.

Smee said the group worked closely with insurers to develop products specifically for the SME market.

In a statement he said: "One of the goals for BIG is to use our leverage as an industry body to promote more high-quality insurance advisory services," Kevin says.

"New Zealand businesses require this support, and Kiwi families need the professionalism and expertise that they can receive from a highly skilled and informed broker. A key objective is to raise the standard across the industry to ensure that every insured person gets what they need at claim time."

BIG members are not tied in by any contract, Smee said, and continue to operate independent businesses.

"Firstly, we get together people we like," he said. "Members share their IP."

BIG has organised Chinese-born ballet star and Australian stockbroker, Li  Cunxin, to headline a networking function on May 12.

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