Over the past three years, a lot has changed within the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. Record consolidation. A global pandemic. Shifting consumer behaviours. Emerging technologies. The list goes on. 

Locally, that change has permeated as well, with an unprecedented turnover in the brokerage workforce, and growing capacity and market access challenges for many brokerage businesses within our province.

Through that time, however, the Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan (IBAS) has persevered. Led by President & CEO Derek Lothian, the IBAS team has consistently been at the forefront of shaping government and carrier policy, strengthening the broker channel, as well as delivering a first-class member and partner experience.

But that doesn’t mean we can afford to be complacent or rest on our laurels. The sector is transforming at a torrid pace; and IBAS, too, must evolve to remain relevant to its stakeholders and investors — the more than 98% of P&C brokerages with a physical presence in Saskatchewan that comprise our membership.

That’s why, earlier this year, the IBAS board of directors began the arduous work of reviewing and updating its strategic plan. You will find the outcome of that process — the blueprint for what we’re calling IBAS 4.0 — by clicking here.

You will note that it envisions some transformative changes to what the association prioritizes and how it operates. This includes:

• A deepened commitment to being the most proactive and influential brokerage advocate in Canada — informing the government, regulator, and insurer decisions that matter most to your business (expect to see additional examples of that impact in the coming days and weeks);

• Major new investments to build out IBAS's education resources and drive participation in brokerage careers;

• Beginning in 2024, reimagining the IBAS Convention & AGM as the IBAS AGM & Leaders Summit, with a renewed focus, a reinvigorated programme, and one complimentary registration per member brokerage;

• Adding incremental value through a refreshed suite of member services that are responsive to IBAS's diverse membership base;

• Establishing a dedicated CAIB Graduates Dinner in April 2024;

• Creating new and better tools to keep you, our members, informed in real time on the issues impacting your brokerage; and

• Living the #BrokersCare brand in everything that we do — leveraging it as a launchpad to elevate the broker profession and empower the communities in which our members live and work.

We have no illusions that this new, three-year plan will be easy to execute. Few ‘big things’ worth doing actually are. Yet, we are confident this approach is the right one for the association and for its 160-plus brokerage members that rely on IBAS to deliver meaningful value.

Once you have the opportunity to read through the IBAS 2023-26 Strategic Plan document, I'd invite you to participate in our first quarterly member principal town hall of the year — on Thursday, September 28, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Click here to register. And, if you have comments or questions, you can reach me directly at chair@ibas.ca.

On behalf of the board, thank you for your continued support. This is your association and we could not make any progress without your engagement. We are all stronger together!

Regards,

Sarah Johnston
Chair, IBAS Board of Directors
President & CEO, Johnston Insurance Brokers