Today the directors of Blue Group Underwriters & Managers Pty Ltd (Blue-GUM) and Australian Income Protection Pty Ltd (AIP) announce the intended merger of their businesses to create Australia.s leading group insurance management business.

Blue-GUM was established in 1998 and has successfully managed the group risk insurance business for a number of Australian Life insurers, most recently Zurich Australia Limited and PrefSure Life prior to that. Blue-GUM are recognised as leading innovators in delivering technology into the group insurance market and recently introduced a new range of products specifically designed for companies operating in the mining and resources sector.

AIP was established in 2003 to bring disability insurance to the members of industry superannuation funds who previously were unable to obtain such benefits in the Australian market place. This was an early lead for the industry for what has now become a standard benefit in many funds. Through their innovation and excellent service AIP are still recognised in the market as the leading provider of industry fund disability insurance solutions.

Les Jones of Blue-GUM will assume the role of General Manager of the two companies effective immediately and Ted Lovelee will remain Chief Executive Officer of AIP until the completion of the full merger and integration, which is expected to take a number of months.