Steadfast Group has brought together close to 200 brokerage principals from across its network at its recent Principals Forum, a gathering aimed at strengthening professional connections and exploring current issues in the sector.
Robert Kelly AM, Steadfast founder, managing director, and chief executive officer, said the forum reflected the group’s long-standing emphasis on shared learning.
“Steadfast was built on the belief that ‘None of us are as good as all of us’ and a commitment to support our entire broker network,” he said. “By coming together, sharing our knowledge, problems, expectations, and experiences, we ensure the continued success of our entire network.”
A key discussion point was how artificial intelligence is being incorporated into insurance processes.
Attendees agreed that while AI offers efficiency benefits, the advisory role of brokers continues to rely on personal judgement and direct relationships with clients.
A recent GlobalData study of more than 5,500 people across 11 countries found that a majority recognised efficiency gains from AI.
More than seven in 10 respondents said the technology could speed up access to customer service representatives, while similar proportions identified benefits in operational performance and data pattern recognition.
Among those who had interacted with insurance chatbots, 74.5% reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the experience.
Despite these findings, consumers remain uncertain about the role of AI in core insurance processes. Concerns over fairness in automated decisions and the handling of personal data were among the main barriers to wider adoption.
Technology updates formed part of the forum program, with Steadfast outlining its continuing investment in digital platforms used across the network.
The company plans to expand on its Client Trading Platform, INSIGHT, and Steadfast Apps, with the goal of building an end-to-end digital system designed for brokers.
Kelly said the objective is to streamline operational tasks while enabling brokers to prioritise client needs.
“Our goal is to simplify the entire insurance lifecycle so brokers can focus on what matters most to their business, protecting their clients,” he said.
This month, Steadfast also confirmed the relaunch of its Graduate Program, set to begin in February 2026.
The 12-month program, based in Sydney, will provide full-time hybrid roles for recent graduates and students completing their studies.
Candidates from a wide range of disciplines – including actuarial studies, commerce, finance, data analytics, human resources, IT, and marketing – are eligible to apply.
Remuneration is expected to fall between $70,000 and $80,000.
Participants will rotate across four areas of the business – underwriting, broking support, operations, and digital transformation – to gain exposure to different functions within the insurance value chain.
