STP INTASURE: A new chapter for independent brokerage
The launch of STP IntaSure marks more than the merger of two established insurance brokerages.
It signals the emergence of a new model for independent insurance distribution in South Africa, one built on scale, governance, technology enablement and succession, while still preserving the entrepreneurial culture and trusted client relationships that have historically defined successful broker businesses.
Under the banner of the Jacana Group, the coming together of STP Insurance Brokers and IntaSure reflects broader shifts taking place across the insurance industry, where independent brokers are increasingly required to balance personal service with rising regulatory complexity, operational demands and technological transformation.
The launch event, held in Cape Town, brought together insurer partners, brokers and industry stakeholders to celebrate the creation of the new entity and outline the strategic thinking behind the merger. At the centre of the evening were reflections from long-standing industry leaders whose businesses have evolved over decades.
For Andrew Jones, whose journey with STP dates back to 1993, the merger represents the most significant strategic step in the company’s history. He reflected on how STP evolved over the years through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and alignment with insurer partners, eventually becoming part of the Jacana Group in 2019 with the support of Yellowwoods Capital.
“The STP INTASURE merger has been, I would say, the most significant contractual arrangement and merger that STP have entered into in the industry,” he said.
The story on the IntaSure side shares many similarities. Founded in 1976, the business steadily expanded through acquisitions and strategic partnerships, always with an eye on long-term sustainability and equity creation. Geoff Genricks explained that the alignment between the two businesses ultimately came down to something more fundamental than scale or commercial logic.
“These are the guys,” he said of the STP leadership team. “The principles of who they are and in terms of our culture and their culture, the way they are, their staff, the way we are with our staff, very similar.”
That emphasis on culture, values and people emerged repeatedly throughout the evening. Both businesses spoke about integrity, trust, reliability and client-centricity as the foundations on which they had built their reputations over decades. The merger, therefore, was not presented as a disruptive consolidation exercise, but rather as a carefully considered continuation of shared philosophies and complementary strengths.
For clients and insurer partners, continuity was a major theme. Both founders acknowledged the realities of succession planning within independent brokerages and the importance of ensuring long-term stability for clients and staff alike. The merger creates a broader leadership pipeline and brings younger executives into positions where they can guide the business into its next phase.
One of the clearest indicators of that transition was the announcement by Stephen Hanssen that Jason Whiting would assume the role of Deputy CEO of STP INTASURE with a view to taking over operational leadership in the future.
“Our purpose is clear: to create a scaled, well-governed, data-enabled broker network that insurers can partner with confidently while preserving the trusted local relationships and client value.”
