Insurance Business Awards Australia 2021 by Key Media

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A WORD FROM KEY MEDIA THANK YOU to everyone who took part in the fourth annual Insurance Business Awards Australia. After a difficult year that tested the resilience of many industries, these awards offer a true snapshot of the best and brightest in insurance and those who have stepped up and put their clients first at a time when it mattered most. The Insurance Business Awards Australia celebrated and recognised excellence in the insurance profession across 27 prestigious categories, focusing on the achievements of the country’s best insurance professionals and organisations. It was wonderful to see such strong industry support for our first Insurance Business Awards Australia, and we would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination and acknowledge our esteemed panel of judges for lending their time and expertise to the endeavour. The Insurance Business Awards Australia are brought to you by Key Media, publishers of the leading global family of Insurance Business magazines and insurancebusinessmag.com. We are proud to continue our tradition of celebrating insurance excellence in Australia and would like to congratulate all winners and excellence awardees.

JUSTIN KENNEDY Managing director, Key Media

Key Media is an award-winning global media company. Its growing portfolio of focused, market-leading products connects business communities across seven key verticals using a combination of innovative online offerings, events and print titles.

TABLE OF CONTENTS NATIONAL AWARDS Australian Broker of the Year

Australian Young Gun of the Year

Australian Brokerage of the Year

BROKERAGE AWARDS QBE Brokerage of the Year (20+ Staff)

Brokerage of the Year (6–20 Staff)

Brokerage of the Year (1–5 Staff)

CHU Underwriting Specialist Brokerage of the Year

Best Digital Strategy – Brokerage

Best Community Engagement Program – Broker

Best Customer Service from an Individual Office

Authorised Representative Network of the Year

BROKER AWARDS Young Gun of the Year – Independent (1–19 Staff)

Young Gun of the Year – Independent (20+ Staff)

AXA XL Young Gun of the Year – International

Broker of the Year (1–19 Staff)

Broker of the Year (20+ Staff)

Broker of the Year – Specialist

QBE Broker of the Year – Authorised Representative

INSURER AWARDS Blake Oliver Consulting Australian General Insurer of the Year

Underwriting Agencies Council Underwriting Agency BDM of the Year

AAMC General Insurer Claims Team of the Year

Underwriting Agencies Council Australian Underwriting Agency of the Year

General Insurer BDM of the Year

Wilbur Underwriting Agency Claims Team of the Year

Best Community Engagement Program – Insurer

Best Service Provider Award

Duck Creek Technologies Best Digital Strategy – Insurer

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ACHIEVING SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS The insurance industry continued to thrive in the last year, even as the pandemic rumbled on. Its achievements were celebrated and rewarded at 2021’s virtual Insurance Business Australia Awards ceremony, providing a much-needed highlight in another tumultuous year

2021 WAS UNDOUBTEDLY another tricky year for the insurance industry as the world continued to grapple with constantly evolving pandemic conditions. In these challenging times, recognising and celebrating achievements has become more important than ever and vital to keeping people motivated and engaged when morale is low. The importance of the Insurance Business Awards was highlighted by 2021’s winners, who told their peers what it meant to them when accepting their awards at the virtual ceremony. Winner of Young Gun of the Year – International Taylor Burstow of Willis Towers Watson said, “It's an honour and a privilege to be named Young Gun of the Year – International for 2021. This is the highlight of my career and a real stepping stone for my future development.

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I look forward to continuing to represent our industry and work to develop the next generation of insurance brokers.’’ Colin Fagen accepted the award for Blue Zebra Insurance, winner of Best Digital Strategy Insurer. “The team at Blue Zebra is extremely proud to be winning the Best Digital Strategy Insurer. We would like to thank Key Media for that recognition,” he said. “Our strategy is very simple: we talk and we listen to our clients, and we look to build a business that meets their needs, and we look to do that in record time. We look forward to continuing to meet our customers’ needs and continuing to drive our strategy for growth in our business and growth in our customers’ businesses. Onwards and upwards from here!’’ Shielded Insurance Brokers’ Joshua Scutts, winner of Broker of the

METHODOLOGY NOMINATIONS A nationwide call for nominations was conducted from 31 May 2021 to 2 July 2021 using Insurance Business’ print and online channels. Nominations were open across 27 categories. Any individual or company operating in the Australian insurance industry was eligible to submit a nomination, either on their own behalf or for someone else.

RESEARCH The Insurance Business Awards team conducted research and drew on knowledge and information gained through Insurance Business’ connections to the insurance industry in order to support and supplement nominations received and ensure that no one deserving of recognition was missed. Excellence awardees were determined from both pools of information.

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Year (20+ Staff ), said, “First let me say a huge thank you to the team at Shielded Insurance brokers. It's their drive and hunger that inspired me to want to be great and continue to innovate our industry. I'm extremely honoured to be receiving such an award tonight and grateful to be leading the team at Shielded. It would be great to experience this with you at the gala tonight, but we'll try again next year.’’ It will be time to kick off those slippers when the 2022 awards event comes around. The highly anticipated in-person black-tie gala dinner is scheduled for Friday, 2 September 2022, at the Shangri-La Sydney, by which time, we all hope, the pandemic will be behind us. Twenty-five awards are up for grabs in 2022 across four categories, including national awards, brokerage awards, broker awards and insurer awards.

Retaining and attracting the best talent The ‘great resignation’ is predicted to reach Australia’s shores in 2022. This trend swept across the US in 2021, when 35 million workers resigned from their jobs, leaving job vacancies outnumbering the unemployed by three million. Recent research by PwC, which surveyed 1,800 Australian employees, found that 38% of participants are planning to leave their current employer in the next year. Such statistics mean that businesses across all sectors will need to focus on attracting and retaining talent. Deloitte’s 2022 Insurance Industry Outlook report states that attracting and retaining the best talent, particularly employees with advanced technology and data analytics skills, will be key in the coming months, in an already very competitive job market.

Once the research was completed, excellence awardees were selected in each category (except the three national awards) and notified via phone and email. Excellence awardees were announced in Insurance Business magazine and online.

JUDGING The Insurance Business Awards team forwarded the completed excellence awardee submissions to an independent panel of judges comprising insurance industry leaders and senior representatives. Judges were esteemed experts and senior leaders within the industry, and their judgment was impartial, balanced, incisive and fair. Any judge with a conflict of interest in a particular category would have excused themselves from judging that category.

WINNERS A simple points system was used to aggregate the judges’ votes, and the excellence awardee with the top score in each category was named the winner.

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With the pandemic opening up different ways of working, from hybrid to flexible, today’s jobseekers are also looking to secure a better work-life balance. An acceleration of digital advances driven by enforced remote working has been seen across Australia, helping employees become better connected but also blurring the lines between work and home life. The Australia and New Zealand Anatomy of Work Index 2021 report suggests the pandemic has fasttracked Australia’s digital business initiatives by six years. Wellbeing has also come to the fore and runs a close second to remuneration and reward in PwC’s list of ‘What employees value from an employer’. The Gartner Global Talent Monitor 2020 quarterly survey of more than 18,000 employees in 40 countries found that between April and June 2021 Australians put work-life balance as the number one reason people wanted to join an organisation. Work-life balance also ranked third on the list of motivators for Australians to leave their current employer in the Gartner Global report.

People skills There’s no doubt that being successful in the insurance industry requires building up successful relationships with both colleagues and clients, whether face-to-face or remotely. Janet Smith from Marsh McLennan was awarded Broker of the Year Specialist 2021. In the words of her nominator: “Through her leadership, Jane has nurtured and grown talented individuals, and she is a hands-on and easily accessible leader and mentor to many, both within and outside of the insurance industry. Jane is a recognised and trusted risk management expert to many of Marsh’s clients both in the Pacific and globally. Jane’s success at a professional level is highlighted by a high client retention level, continuous growth of the portfolio nationally and in the Pacific, and her position and trust with clients.’’ A key to successful relationships is clear communications. GT Insurance, winner of Underwriting Agency Claims Team of the Year 2021, received the following nomination: “Communication is the key to the service, with GT Insurance keeping both the broker and the client informed throughout the claim process, which is a very stressful time for the client, providing them with clear expectations on how the claim will proceed. When we have had circumstances where the client’s expectations are unrealistic or unable to be met, then GT Insurance management has been willing to get involved and assist in explaining to the client why the outcome has not met their expectations. In conclusion, I believe the claims process offered by GT Insurance is what all insurers should strive for so they meet our clients’ expectations at the most critical point of their insurance experience.’’

The year to come Uncertainty around what COVID-19 will bring next looks likely to continue into 2022, yet Deloitte’s 2022 Insurance Industry Outlook report found that, despite these concerns, most insurers expect an accelerating economic recovery and additional digital technology investments in 2022. Approximately one third of its survey respon-

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dents expect revenues to be “significantly better” next year, given that the demand for insurance is forecast to keep rising globally. Insurers need to find ways to balance technology adoption with maintaining the human touch, according to the report. In a time when insurers are increasingly dependent on emerging technologies and data sources to drive efficiency, enhance cybersecurity and expand capabilities, focus should be on improving the customer experience by both streamlining processes with automation and providing customised service where needed and preferred. Deloitte predicts several potential economic hurdles lie ahead with the fallout from the pandemic in 2022. They include sustained inflation; sustainability concerns, including climate risk, diversity, and financial inclusion; and rapidly evolving consumer product and purchase preferences. Data-driven assessment and modelling of risk will continue to shape pricing and enable the Australian insurance industry to operate successfully in a global market, John Donnelly, head of global placement for Asia-Pacific at Marsh, told Insurance Business. Donnelly also considers the delivery of better returns for shareholders to be a key driver for the industry and thinks the challenge will be balancing shareholder demands with client satisfaction. 2022 looks set to hold both challenges and triumphs across the industry.

2021 JUDGING PANEL Thank you to our esteemed judges for lending their time and expertise to help recognise and celebrate excellence in the insurance profession

COLIN FAGEN

ANGELA ROWE

KIMBERLEY JONSSON

Managing director, Blue Zebra Insurance

Account director, Bluebook Insurance Brokers

CEO, CHU Underwriting Agencies

GREG HICKS Head of distribution, sales and marketing, personal risk services, Australia and New Zealand, Chubb Insurance

LISA CARTER

TROY FILIPCEVIC

Managing director, Clear Insurance

CEO and founder, Emergence

GENIERE APLIN

SARAH LYONS

TONY DODD

Group executive, personal injury, and chair of EMLife, Employers Mutual Limited

Chief executive, Gallagher Australia

CEO, GT Insurance

BRIAN KNIGHT

SCOTT GUSE

KURT NILSEN

CEO, Kaplan Professional

Partner, KPMG

Managing director, Lion Underwriting

KELLY BUTLER

SIMONE DOSSETOR

Cyber practice leader – Pacific, Marsh JLT Specialty, Marsh

Former COO, Munich Re Australasia

MIKE BARTLETT

ERIC LOWENSTEIN

EMMA DONEY

Commercial director, Sum Insured Pty Ltd

CEO, Tego

Partner, YDR Chartered Loss Adjusters

HILARY BATES

JASON CLARKE Chief customer officer, commercial lines, QBE Insurance

COO and executive sponsor of Project Swift, Life & Investments, Zurich Financial Services Australia Ltd

MARNI JACKSON

ENRIQUE SICURELLA

Head of product – vehicle, Youi NZ

Director, CCM Insurance Group

ROBERT KELLY

CHAY WILKINSON

Managing director and CEO, Steadfast

CEO, ANA Chartered Loss Adjusters

Independent chair, Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee

ANDREW HALL

LISA HARRISON

ANDREW DAVIES

CEO, Insurance Council of Australia

CEO, Insurance Product and Portfolio, Suncorp

CEO, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority

MICHAEL GILL

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AUSTRALIAN BROKER OF THE YEAR

AUSTRALIAN YOUNG GUN OF THE YEAR

AUSTRALIAN BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the most outstanding broker working in the Australian insurance industry. The finalists in this category are drawn from the winners of the four Broker of the Year awards.

This award recognises the most outstanding Australian broker under the age of 35. The finalists in this category are drawn from the winners of the three Young Gun of the Year awards.

This award recognises the most outstanding brokerage business headquartered and operating in Australia. The finalists in this category are drawn from the winners of the four Brokerage of the Year awards.

WINNER

JANE SMITH

TAYLOR BURSTOW

Marsh

Formerly of Willis Towers Watson, now with ShieldCover

ALLINSURE

“ I’ve always believed that where you are today is by the choices that are available to you. Being part of a global broker for me has afforded a lot of opportunities. There have been influential people in my life, and I’ve always tried to seek out mentors that are within and outside the organisation and that provide different types of mentoring, not just career-focused mentoring. When I’ve got new staff members, I always tell them not to be afraid to take risks and to display confidence. Find a great mentor, support each other, and deliver as a team. I truly believe that success is being part of a team. I like that adage, ‘The sum of the parts is more than the parts by themselves’.”

“ In insurance broking itself you’re not pigeonholed into one particular area. Everything needs insurance. So, no matter what you’re interested in, you can always target that industry and go after it. There’s always something new to learn. I get to discover what we can do to help and what that industry actually does, and research it and understand them inside out, which I find interesting because I like knowing a bit about everything. It makes it easy to have conversations with people.”

“ It’s been a great year of achievements by the team at allinsure in 2021 despite the challenging environment we have all worked and lived in. A huge thank you to our amazing team, insurer partners, industry partners and Insurance Advisernet for their support in helping us achieve the best results that we can for our clients every day. And to our clients – thank you for continuing to trust allinsure to protect and grow with your business.”

Jane Smith Marsh

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Taylor Burstow ShieldCover

Peter Chamberlain Founder and managing director, allinsure

FEATURED WINNER

ALLINSURE At allinsure, we are committed to providing client-focused, advice-based service. Insurance is a crucial part of business strategy, so we partner with our clients as their trusted adviser to educate and provide proactive, innovative and strategic risk solutions. Guided by the four pillars of trust, advice, choice and value, we provide business owners with the tools to make informed decisions so they can grow with real peace of mind. Our commitment to fostering strong and lasting relationships over the past 15 years has seen us become Canberra’s largest locally owned and operated broking firm and has enabled expansion into the Melbourne market. Our passionate team have helped build an incredible culture, and they go above and beyond to deliver insurance advice, service and claim support differently. We take a collaborative approach with our insurer partners to achieve the best outcomes for our clients in the long run. We are proud to be an AR of Insurance Advisernet, one of the largest and most respected general insurance businesses

and network of independent insurance advisers in Australia. This unique relationship gives us financial strength, business efficiencies and buying power others simply cannot match – ensuring we always provide the most suitable coverage available at the most competitive premiums. With IA on our side, we can focus on being there for our clients. At the heart of allinsure is a strong desire to give back to our community. As a business we are here to help people in a time of need – and this extends far beyond our clients. Our community-giving program allows us to take an active and present role in our local communities by assisting organisations that make a profound difference to those in need. We are strong supporters of community, charity and sporting groups who provide a sense of community and belonging to those around us. P: +61 2 6131 9700 E: info@allinsure.com.au W: www.allinsure.com.au

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QBE

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (20+ STAFF)

This award recognises the best brokerage operation with more than 20 staff (or full-time equivalents) in Australia. The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders or authorised representatives) and support staff.

WINNER

crm brokers the smart insurance alternative CRM BROKERS

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Aviso WA Insurance Brokers GSK Insurance Brokers Guardian Insurance Brokers

AWARD SPONSOR

At QBE, we’re driven by our purpose – to give people the confidence to achieve their ambitions. We’re an international insurer and reinsurer offering a diverse portfolio of commercial, personal and specialty products, as well as risk management solutions. We employ a team of more than 11,800 people in 27 countries around the world. QBE was founded in Queensland in 1886, and its growth, nationally and internationally, is the story of an institution that for more than 130 years has played a significant part in Australia’s commercial history. We don’t simply offer insurance. We’re all about the before and after – helping our customers to protect against and prevent the ‘what ifs’ and being there to support them if anything goes wrong.

This award recognises the best brokerage operation with six to 20 staff (or full-time equivalents) in Australia. The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders or authorised representatives) and support staff.

WINNER

ALLINSURE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Arma Insurance Brokers Hunter Valley Austbrokers Coast to Coast Austral Risk Services

McLardy McShane

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (6-20 STAFF)

Scott Winton Insurance Brokers

Contact details:

AUZi Insurance

Shielded Insurance Brokers

P: +61 481 462 606 E: externalcomms@qbe.com W: www.qbe.com/au/brokers

Bell Partners Insurance

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Carollo Horton & Associates Simplex Insurance Solutions

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (1-5 STAFF)

This award recognises the best brokerage operation with one to five staff (or full-time equivalents) in Australia. The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders or authorised representatives) and support staff.

WINNER

FEATURED WINNER STELLAR INSURANCE BROKERS

STELLAR INSURANCE BROKERS

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES CPR Insurance Services Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors Hunter Broking Group Imperium Insurance and Financial Solutions InterRe Insurance Brokers Praden Risk Guidance Insurance

Stellar Insurance Brokers is a family-owned, family-run business which was established in 2003 (trading under a different name at the time) by founder and managing director Mike Pappalardo. In 2018, the business rebranded to Stellar Insurance Brokers, named after Pappalardo’s first grandchild, Stella. His daughter (and Stella’s mum), Kirsty Dowell, has been part of the brokerage since 2007 and recently became a co-director. The staff at Stellar Insurance Brokers are also considered part of the family due to their long tenures with the business. Together, the team have built a thriving business that has seen double-digit growth year-on-year. This success could not have been achieved without the commitment and dedication of this close-knit team, who are well looked after by their company’s initiatives. Stellar Insurance Brokers offers an on-site crèche for the children of staff and employs a qualified childcare worker to care for the children. This, for Stellar, reinforces the company’s family-first mentality as well as supports its values of Innovation, Passion, Leadership, Authenticity, Teamwork, Excellence and Respect. Stellar is also heavily involved in industry bodies, particularly the Council of Queensland Insurance Brokers Inc. (CQIB), and Kirsty took out the CQIB Peter McCarthy Memorial Award for Young Professional of the Year in 2021. In addition, Stellar has a partnership arrangement with Starlight Foundation to help support communities that are doing it tough. Client engagement is one of Stellar’s secrets to success. With a net promoter score of 90, the company focuses on enhancing the client experience when it comes to customer service. From greeting cards to Christmas hampers to the Stellar Star Club – a new initiative whereby clients can participate in a range of programs and benefits designed to help bolster their success – clients are at the centre of everything Stellar does, with the brokerage’s first-ever client in 2003 still a client today. P: 1300 270 280 E: admin@stellarinsurance.com.au W: www.stellarinsurance.com.au

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CHU

UNDERWRITING SPECIALIST BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR This award recognises the best brokerage operation that conducts more than 50% of its business in one area of specialty risk.

AWARD SPONSOR

WINNER

CCM INSURANCE GROUP

BEST DIGITAL STRATEGY – BROKERAGE

This award recognises the best brokerage that has harnessed digital channels to provide clients with practical, effective and easily accessible information to help them with their businesses.

WINNER CHU is one of Australia's largest and most awarded insurance underwriting agencies. CHU created the first residential strata insurance plan in Australia and started trading in Sydney in 1978. Over 40 years later, CHU has grown to become recognised as a leading strata insurance specialist, underwriting more than 100,000 schemes across Australia.

FD BECK INSURANCE BROKERS

Contact details:

Anne-Maree Paul EXCELLENCE AWARDEES AUZi Insurance Carollo Horton & Associates

P: 1300 361 263 E: info@chu.com.au W: www.chu.com.au

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES AUZi Insurance CCM Insurance Group

Collective Insurance Brokers

Shielded Insurance Brokers

CRM Brokers

Trade Risk

Chief customer officer, CHU Underwriting Agencies

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FEATURED WINNER

FD BECK INSURANCE BROKERS FD Beck Insurance Brokers has been providing expert insurance brokerage services in Melbourne since 1898. We pride ourselves on our knowledge and flexibility in dealing with our clients and their varied business needs. Our ability to adapt is key to our longevity, and our digital strategy has never been more crucial. In a highly competitive market, FD Beck set out to create a point of difference in our product offering. Importantly, we needed a digital strategy designed to drive traffic to our website quote portals, so we focused on customer education and ease of use through quote automation. Content marketing has allowed FD Beck to be proactive in answering potential customers’ frequently asked insurance questions. We have created 22 concise, relevant and informative videos that are designed to answer consistently asked and researched questions relating to professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Increasingly, consumers want to be able to educate themselves with simple, easy-to-understand information in a format that requires little effort. We also understand that some customers prefer to

engage with videos rather than static text, so creating more interactive and visual content is essential to our strategy. Using content marketing, SEO and social media, we promote the videos and blogs, then direct visitors to our online quote portal, simplifying the process of purchasing insurance. Our clients can now obtain insurance quotes simply, cost-effectively and efficiently across seven different insurance products, such as PI insurance, general liability, cyber, etc., spanning hundreds of occupations. Given the 24/7 nature of our online quote portal, it allows clients to deal with their insurance needs outside of standard business hours. The strategy has differentiated us from competitors while staying true to our core business, and with a significant increase in sales of our online offerings, it is one that has paid dividends. P: 03 9585 6377 E: enquiry@fdbeck.com.au W: www.fdbeck.com.au

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BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM – BROKER

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OFFICE

This award recognises a broker or brokerage based on their service or contribution to their local community. To be eligible, the nominee must be able to demonstrate a positive role in their local community over a sustained period of time.

Customer service is an important measure of any brokerage’s long-term sustainability and success. This award recognises a brokerage office or branch that has maintained consistent and sustainable customer service standards over the past 12 months.

WINNER

CPR INSURANCE SERVICES

ALLINSURE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

allinsure

Austral Risk Services Team

AUZi Insurance

Insurance Advisernet Foundation

Bell Partners Insurance

McLardy McShane

Dixon Insurance (Sunshine Coast) Hunter Broking Group InterRe Insurance Brokers Scott Winton Insurance Brokers Shielded Insurance Brokers Trade Risk

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AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE NETWORK OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the best authorised representative network in Australia.

WINNER

FEATURED WINNER INSURANCE ADVISERNET INSURANCE ADVISERNET

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Ausure Community Broker Network Marsh Advantage Insurance McLardy McShane Partners Oracle Group Insurance Brokers PSC Network Insurance Partners

Insurance Advisernet was founded in 1996 with a clear and powerful aim: to provide high-quality risk management advice business owners can trust. Today, we’re one of the largest and most respected general insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand, with an ever-growing network of more than 250 insurance advice practices across 150 locations. As part of the AUB Group (formerly Austbrokers), an ASX-listed company with over $4bn in premium under influence across the AUB network, our buying power spans major insurers in Australasia as well as access to major overseas insurers. The collective strength of the Insurance Advisernet network is its greatest asset. Every day, it allows us to deliver unrivalled confidence, choice and value for our clients and their businesses. Comprising more than 250 insurance advice practices across Australia and New Zealand, Insurance Advisernet is a principal member of the National Insurance Brokers Association and the largest member of the publicly listed AUB Group – one of the region’s leading general insurance broking groups with over 850,000 clients. This unique relationship gives us a level of financial strength, business efficiencies and buying power others simply cannot match – ensuring we always provide the most suitable coverage available at the most competitive premiums. P: 1300 366 085 E: info@iaa.net.au W: www.insuranceadviser.net

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YOUNG GUN OF THE YEAR – INDEPENDENT (1-19 STAFF)

YOUNG GUN OF THE YEAR – INDEPENDENT (20+ STAFF)

AXA XL

This award recognises the best broker aged under 35 who works at an independent brokerage operation with less than 20 staff (or full-time equivalents). The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders and authorised representatives) and support staff.

This award recognises the best broker aged under 35 who works at an independent brokerage operation with 20 or more staff (or full-time equivalents). The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders and authorised representatives) and support staff.

This award recognises the best broker aged under 35 who works for an international brokerage with at least one office outside of Australia.

WINNER

LAURA PORTER

NIKITA WILLIS

TAYLOR BURSTOW

Connect Business Insurance

SRG Group

Formerly of Willis Towers Watson, now with ShieldCover

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Alishia Oliver, Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors

Alison Morrissey, Collective Insurance Brokers

Jeff Williams, Gallagher

Belen Dalvit, Bell Partners Insurance

Douglas Strong, Shielded Insurance Brokers

Michael Pham, AON

Joshua Hawkins, Brookvale Insurance Brokers

Timothy Trandafilu, AON

Dean Bowen, DLB Insurance & Risk Solutions/Hardline Insurance Brokers Hailey Burke, Active Insurance Solutions Kirsty Dowell, Stellar Insurance Brokers Regan Pugh, Elliott Insurance Brokers Robbie Gibbs, Risk Guidance Insurance Siobhan Wilde, Arma Insurance Brokers Hunter Valley

YOUNG GUN OF THE YEAR – INTERNATIONAL

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Shane Brady, McLardy McShane Tryan Christos, Interlink Insurance Brokers

Laith Parissi, Gallagher Nicole Pallavicini, Marsh

AWARD SPONSOR

AXA XL Insurance – We Don’t Just Provide Insurance. We Reinvent It. AXA XL is the P&C and Specialty Risk Division of AXA. We’re known for solving complex risks for midsized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals. With speed, agility and a focus on the future, we can offer more products, greater global reach, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business – Property, Casualty, Professional and Financial Lines, and Specialty. With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward. Contact details: P: +61 2 8270 1719 E: iselle.gonzalez@axaxl.com W: www.axaxl.com

BROKER OF THE YEAR (1-19 STAFF)

BROKER OF THE YEAR (20+ STAFF)

This award recognises the best broker working in an independent brokerage operation with fewer than 20 staff (or full-time equivalents). The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders and authorised representatives) and support staff.

This award recognises the best broker working in an independent brokerage operation with 20 or more staff (or full-time equivalents). The number of staff includes all brokers writing business (licence holders and authorised representatives) and support staff.

WINNER

TATE HARRIS

JOSHUA SCUTTS

allinsure

Shielded Insurance Brokers

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Dale Hansen, Austbrokers Coast to Coast

Caroline Caldwell, MGA Insurance Brokers

Kevin Fok, Archer Insurance Corp.

Nick Daffy, McLardy McShane

Tony Venning, Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors

Sarah Dowds, Marsh Australia

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BROKER OF THE YEAR – SPECIALIST

QBE

This award recognises the best broker for whom over 50% of business is derived from one area of specialty risk.

This award recognises the best broker attached to an authorised representative network.

WINNER

BROKER OF THE YEAR AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Catrina Galanti, National Credit Insurance (Brokers)

Gary Olbrich, GEM Insurance Brokers

At QBE, we’re driven by our purpose – to give people the confidence to achieve their ambitions. We’re an international insurer and reinsurer offering a diverse portfolio of commercial, personal and specialty products, as well as risk management solutions. We employ a team of more than 11,800 people in 27 countries around the world. QBE was founded in Queensland in 1886, and its growth, nationally and internationally, is the story of an institution that for more than 130 years has played a significant part in Australia's commercial history. We don’t simply offer insurance. We’re all about the before and after – helping our customers to protect against and prevent the ‘what ifs’ and being there to support if anything goes wrong.

Gary Sim, CCM Insurance Group

Gavan Burke, Active Insurance Solutions

Contact details:

Jennifer Steger, Trade Risk

Jordyn Gilbert, Zenith Insurance Services

Josh Ryan, Hunter Broking Group

JANE SMITH

DAVE STOTT

Marsh

Capital Innovation Insurance Group Vic

Kristy Teh, Unicorn Risk Solutions

Matthew Bates, Bell Partners Insurance Peter Chamberlain, allinsure Rob Langan, Bayinsure Robbie Gibbs, Risk Guidance Insurance Tate Harris, allinsure

AWARD SPONSOR

www.ibawards.com.au

P: +61 481 462 606 E: externalcomms@qbe.com W: www.qbe.com/au/brokers

FEATURED WINNER DAVE STOTT Capital Innovation Insurance Group Vic Dave Stott has been a prolific contributor to the insurance industry for over 25 years, and being named QBE Broker of the Year – Authorised Representative capped off a great 2021. Stott is now a director of Capital Innovation Insurance Group Victoria (CIIGV), where he engenders the organisation’s values of innovation, leadership, compassion, attentiveness and trustworthiness. These values are the cornerstone of his vision for CIIGV becoming the insurance broker of choice and are the philosophies by which he conducts all aspects of his insurance broking activities. Since the formation of CIIGV in 2020, Stott has been the catalyst of CIIGV’s brand, deliverables, services, growth and development. Key to his success is his ability to help people within CIIGV, the industry and the broader community understand the value of their contribution. Stott adopts a hands-on, lead-by-example, no-nonsense approach, which fosters a culture of teamwork, shared vision, and a commitment to excellence. Stott has strong business and insurance acumen, approaching everything he does with a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. Customers are the centre of it all, and he ensures the appropriate collection and analysis of information and data, as well as the application of insurance risk tools which are appropriate for tailoring an insurance and risk solution. A significant focus in recent years has been innovation, including the development and growth of CIIGV’s people capability, technical knowledge and additional technical services for customers, such as the development of an exclusive partnership with Protection Risk Operations And Control Technology, (PROACT) Australia — a cutting-edge, affordable digital risk management tool that can be implemented into any customer’s business. Insurers are always looking for customers who implement strong risk management and provide sustainable coverage and premiums for those who take it seriously, making this a win-win for insurers and customers alike. P: 0455 855 648 E: dave.stott@ciig.com.au W: www.capitalinnovation.com.au

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BLAKE OLIVER CONSULTING

AUSTRALIAN GENERAL INSURER OF THE YEAR

UNDERWRITING AGENCIES COUNCIL

UNDERWRITING AGENCY BDM OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the best general insurer operating in Australia. Fifty per cent weighting is given to the results of the 2021 Insurance Business Brokers on Insurers survey.

AWARD SPONSOR

This award recognises the best BDM working for an underwriting agency operating in Australia. Considerable weight is given to nominations that come directly from the broking community.

WINNER

Blake Oliver Consulting is an insurance specialist consulting firm run by insurance professionals, for the insurance sector. Through our industry experience and broad networks we can reach out to candidates with specific and niche experiences that would otherwise not be contactable in the general market. We are committed to providing tailored staffing solutions to our clients and exceptional care to candidates. We now also offer legal and IT solutions to our insurance clients.

WINNER

ZURICH GENERAL INSURANCE Australia and New Zealand

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Berkley Insurance Australia CGU Chubb

Contact details:

Daniel J. Marsh Managing director P: +61 424 188 733 E: djmarsh@blakeoliver.com.au W: www.blakeoliver.com.au

CRAIG STANLEY CHU Underwriting Agencies

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Chris Varkoly, Professional Risk Underwriting (‘ProRisk’)

Hollard

Con Stoitsis, Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

Liberty

James Lee, Emergence Insurance James Rogers, GT Insurance Trang Ha, Agile Underwriting

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AWARD SPONSOR

The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) is the peak body for Australian underwriting agencies, which write annual GWP of more than $6.5bn. UAC serves members’ interests through professional development events; broker expos to showcase members’ specialist products; sector-specific marketing campaigns; and advocacy with government and industry bodies. UAC has more than 100 agency members, supported by 57 business service members. Contact details:

William Legge General manager M: +61 409 302 423 E: williamlegge@uac.org.au W: www.uac.org.au

FEATURED WINNER CRAIG STANLEY CHU Underwriting Agencies Craig Stanley has been the business development manager for CHU Underwriting Agencies Qld and NT since June 2020. In just over 12 months he has repositioned the CHU Qld branch as modern, agile, and focused on delivering ever-improving customer outcomes. Stanley is analytical and a strategic thinker who strives on achieving growth by providing solutions and nurturing relationships. A passionate advocate for role of technology in insurance, he runs a lot of training sessions for internal and external stakeholders. Stanley's underwriting ability, focus, passion, and innovative approach make him a non-traditional BDM for a non-traditional time in insurance. One of his great standouts in the last 18 months was the way he quickly adapted when COVID-19 hit, creating a new strategy and implementing it using virtual meetings. This involved mentoring underwriters to develop relationship management skills. In 2021, Stanley was also named a 5-Star BDM by Insurance Business Australia and was rated excellent across the categories of customer service, responsiveness, communication and product knowledge. P: +61 423 919 083 E: craig.stanley@chu.com.au W: www.chu.com.au

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AAMC

GENERAL INSURER CLAIMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the best claims team within a general insurer operating in Australia. Considerable weight is given to nominations that come directly from the broking community.

WINNER

ALLIANZ AUSTRALIA

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

AWARD SPONSOR

AAMC is a motor claims specialist providing a range of services to the Australian insurance, broking and motor fleet industries. AAMC is Australia’s largest provider of independent motor accident management and loss assessing services across all sectors, including passenger vehicle, heavy commercial, motorcycle, caravan and marine craft. AAMC has been providing tailored services to some of Australia’s largest and most prominent personal lines and commercial insurers for over 15 years and specialises in delivering cost, quality and timeliness outcomes in motor claims for its clients.

UNDERWRITING AGENCIES COUNCIL

AUSTRALIAN UNDERWRITING AGENCY OF THE YEAR This award recognises the best underwriting agency operating in Australia. The results of the 2021 Insurance Business Brokers on Underwriting Agencies survey is also taken into consideration.

WINNER

CHU UNDERWRITING AGENCIES EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Contact details: Berkley Insurance Australia CGU Chubb Zurich Financial Services Australia

P: 1300 739 470 E: bookings@aamcommercial.com.au W: www.aamcommercial.com.au

About Underwriting Agile Underwriting Services Blue Zebra Insurance Community Underwriting DUAL Emergence Insurance Professional Risk Underwriting ('ProRisk') Tego Insurance

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AWARD SPONSOR

William Legge General manager M: +61 409 302 423 E: williamlegge@uac.org.au W: www.uac.org.au

FEATURED WINNER

CHU UNDERWRITING AGENCIES CHU is one of Australia’s largest and most awarded underwriting agencies, specialising in comprehensive insurance for strata, community title and build to rent properties. 2020 was CHU’s biggest year in terms of our business results, innovation, and customer and staff engagement, which was an achievement during the pandemic. CHU shifted to remote working and virtual events seamlessly and has retained a hybrid working model. According to the results of NIBA’s national broker survey in 2020, CHU’s NPS score of +45 significantly exceeds the general insurer average and the top insurance agency score. We believe our contribution to the industry as a strata insurance specialist and ongoing support for the broader strata community positions us as a leading underwriting agency. CHU has previously won the Insurance Business Brokers' Pick on Underwriting Agencies (2016–2020) and the Underwriting Agency of the Year award in 2017, 2018 and 2021 at the Australian Insurance Industry Awards. P: 1300 361 263 E: info@chu.com.au W: www.chu.com.au

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GENERAL INSURER BDM OF THE YEAR

WILBUR

This award recognises the best BDM working for a general insurer operating in Australia. Considerable weight is given to nominations that come directly from the broking community.

This award recognises the best claims team within an underwriting agency operating in Australia. Considerable weight is given to nominations that come directly from the broking community.

WINNER

UNDERWRITING AGENCY CLAIMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

MELISSA LA SPINA

GT INSURANCE

Hollard Commercial

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Chris Emery, Zurich Financial Services Australia

AM&T CHU Underwriting Agencies

Craig Farmer, QBE

Emergence Insurance

Dion Woo, Bespoke Insurance Group

MECON Insurance

Jayden Hinshaw, Hollard Commercial Insurance

Professional Risk Underwriting ('ProRisk') Woodina Underwriting

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AWARD SPONSOR

Wilbur’s suite of modular and connectable platforms drives seamless claim experiences from start to finish. With flexibility and connection at its core, Wilbur’s Claim Suite provides better outcomes for less investment. From the seen to the unforeseen, Wilbur helps you manage your claims, your way.

FEATURED WINNER

Contact details: P: +61 2 9054 2614 E: hello@wilbur.io W: www.wilbur.io

GT INSURANCE GT Insurance is proud to be the winner of the prestigious Insurance Business 2021 Underwriting Agency Claims Team of the Year award. 2021 was a year of remarkable changes and challenges for insurers and their clients. Despite considerable disruption and uncertainty, GT Insurance maintained its place as a leader in claims management and service delivery, providing tailored insurance solutions for transport and heavy vehicle operators at a time when it was more valuable than ever before. We made important strategic changes, implemented key internal initiatives, and innovated with new technology and systems, all while remaining true to our customer-centric service culture and continuously seeking to drive better service and claims experiences for our clients. P: +61 2 9966 8820 W: www.gtins.com.au

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BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM – INSURER

BEST SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD

DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES

This award recognises the best general insurer or underwriting agency judged on their service or contribution to the wider community. To be eligible, the nominee must be able to demonstrate a positive role in the wider community over a sustained period of time.

This award recognises the best service provider within the insurance sector operating in Australia. Considerable weight is given to nominations that come directly from the broking community. Eligible service providers include but are not limited to software and technology, legal, compliance, training and education.

This award recognises the best general insurer or underwriting agency that has harnessed digital channels to provide brokers with practical, effective and easily accessible facilities to help them with their businesses.

WINNER

ZURICH AUSTRALIAN INSURANCE

BLUE ZEBRA INSURANCE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

AIG

BizCover

AIG

Allianz Australia

DXC Technology

DUAL Australia

Chubb

FM Global

High Street Underwriting Agency

DUAL icare Insurance Australia Group NTI

CLAIM CENTRAL

BEST DIGITAL STRATEGY – INSURER

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Professional Risk Underwriting ('ProRisk') QBE Vero

AWARD SPONSOR

FEATURED WINNER Duck Creek Technologies (NASDAQ: DCT) is a leading provider of core system solutions to the P&C and general insurance industry. By accessing Duck Creek OnDemand, the company’s enterprise Software-asa-Service solution, insurers are able to navigate uncertainty and capture market opportunities faster than their competitors. Duck Creek’s functionally rich solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Contact details:

Ava Emdadian Marketing manager, Asia Pacific P: (02) 9054 2614 E: ava.emdadian@duckcreek.com W: www.duckcreek.com

BLUE ZEBRA INSURANCE Australian-owned and innovation-driven, Blue Zebra Insurance is a different breed – and it’s earning its stripes in the industry. Competing with the biggest insurers in Australia, BZI built its technology platform, Blue Leopard, from the ground up, based on broker insights and created with insurtech at its heart. By offering its Blue Leopard technology Platform as a Service (PaaS) to other forwardlooking insurance businesses, BZI helps these businesses gain an edge with their digital strategies and deliver their products and services in an efficient and digital-first manner. Blue Leopard is accessed by over 1,200 brokers every day, and even during the pandemic, user numbers continued to grow as brokers gravitated towards the easyto-use digital platform. Consistent improvements keep the goal front and centre: maximise the ability to service clients efficiently, streamlining the entire process from quote to claim. 2020 brought massive development for BZI as the company created and launched four new products: Commercial Motor, SME Business Insurance, Personal Accident & Sickness, and Cyber. All housed under one system with the same front and back end, they make use of varying algorithms and third-party data accessed via an API to obtain decision-critical information. BZI also leveraged robotic automation to match more than $100m in broker cash payments, with robot ‘BIANCA’ performing the work of a team of more than 10 people. BZI is proud of its contributions to the industry in Australia, and its growth trajectory is proof positive that the company’s digital strategy works. Boasting over 10,000 registered brokers and over $250m GWP bound to date, BZI is driven by its main purpose – to help brokers grow their businesses and deliver the best value to their customers. BZI continues to blaze its own path forward, fearlessly pushing boundaries with the latest technology and big data and expanding its digital and analytics strategy. BZI is designed to breathe new life into the advice model, set benchmarks in value and responsiveness, and deliver big insurer expertise with entrepreneurial agility. W: www.bzi.com.au

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DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES

BEST DIGITAL STRATEGY – INSURER

2021

INSURANCE BUSINESS AWARDS

FEATURED WINNER

ELLENCE AWARD EXC

HIGH STREET UNDERWRITING AGENCY High Street Underwriting Agency was created because husband and wife team Alan and Jan Whittle felt a human touch was missing in what is, after all, a very human industry — and they wanted to reintroduce it. From that initial concept 20 years ago, High Street has seen some impressive growth over the years and has evolved into an agency laser-focused on bringing the best of the best to the industry. London relationships in place and feet on the ground locally is a critical mix, with the agency boasting equally strong capacity to underwrite day-to-day exposures along with more hard-to-place risks. On top of being tapped for Australian Underwriting Agency of the Year at the recent Insurance Business Australia Awards, High Street has consistently ranked at or near the top for best product liability and public liability underwriter in IBAA’s Brokers on Underwriting Agencies awards. The agency’s strengths stretch beyond understanding niche business classes, with its traditional underwriting bolstered by a commitment to help brokers adapt to and leverage technology. Innovation is a driving force at High Street, with an in-house tech team overseeing an ever-evolving online portal for brokers as well as bespoke website integrations. A ‘nothing’s too much trouble’ approach sets the stage for relationship-building and, most importantly, results. With a team of over 40 people and Jan and Alan’s son Blair Whittle at the helm as CEO, High Street remains at its core that family-founded company simply seeking to look after people through a wide variety of products, a high level of support for brokers, and a continuation of the all-important hands-on approach. Continued growth, innovation, outstanding customer service and family ties are the four corners of the agency — and make it a standout in the field year after year. P: 1800 096 829 E: kyla@hsua.com.au W: www.hsua.com.au

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A LOOK BACK: THE 2020 AWARD WINNERS Australian Broker of the Year Max Cuzzocrea, Maxton Insurance Brokers

Australian Brokerage of the Year Scott Winton Insurance Brokers

Australian Young Gun of the Year Joshua Scutts, Shielded Insurance Brokers

QBE Brokerage of the Year (20+ Staff) Scott Winton Insurance Brokers

Brokerage of the Year (6–20 Staff) Austbrokers Coast to Coast

Brokerage of the Year (1–5 Staff) CPR Insurance Services

Specialist Brokerage of the Year CCM Insurance Group

Best Customer Service from an Individual Office Scott Winton Insurance Brokers

Authorised Representative Network of the Year Insurance Advisernet Australia

Best Community Engagement Program – Broker allinsure

Best Digital Strategy – Brokerage AUZi Insurance

Young Gun of the Year – Independent (1–19 Staff) Joshua Scutts, Shielded Insurance Brokers

Young Gun of the Year – Independent (20+ Staff) Nick Daffy, McLardy McShane

AXA XL Young Gun of the Year International Caleb Richards, Gallagher

Broker of the Year – Independent (1–19 Staff) Max Cuzzocrea, Maxton Insurance Brokers

Broker of the Year – Independent (20+ Staff) Jesse Thorp, Adroit Insurance & Risk

Redkite Broker of the Year Specialist Ryan Mansom, Gallagher

Broker of the Year – Authorised Representative Peter Chamberlain, allinsure

General Insurer BDM of the Year Gordana Bailey, Allianz Australia

Underwriting Agencies Council Underwriting Agency BDM of the Year Katrina Johnson, CHU Underwriting Agencies

Blake Oliver Consulting Australian General Insurer of the Year CGU Insurance

Underwriting Agencies Council Australian Underwriting Agency of the Year ProRisk

360Globalnet General Insurer Claims Team of the Year AXA XL

Underwriting Agency Claims Team of the Year GT Insurance

The Bridge International Best Digital Strategy – General Insurer Vero

Best Digital Strategy – Underwriting Agency Blue Zebra Insurance

Morse Building Consultancy Best Community Engagement Program – Insurer Insurance Australia Group

Best Service Provider EMLife

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