NIBA CEO Welcome

A CELEBRATION OF INSURANCE BROKING

Iam pleased to report on very positive developments.

Firstly, despite all the issues and challenges arising from COVID-19, including lockdowns and border closures, NIBA was able to hold our Gala Lunch for Western Australia on 6 August 2021. Very sadly, the Sydney lockdown kept me from travelling to the West, but I am told the event was a major success.

One factor I like to look for is the number of people still talking after the event has concluded. Once again (typical for Perth), the conversations continued well into the afternoon. This is not surprising, given we had not held this event for two years.

I would like to extend my special thanks to our Director for Western Australia, Ward Dedman, and the Chair of our WA Divisional Committee, Clint Jeuring, for hosting the event on behalf of NIBA.

Secondly, and more importantly, and again despite lockdowns, border closures, and the like, we have now announced the state winners of the Broker of the Year (BOTY) and Young Professional Broker of the Year (YP BOTY).

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to each of the winners:

NIBA Stephen Ball Memorial Award (BOTY)

SA/NT: Karen Skinner, MGA Insurance Brokers WA: Jeff Booth, GSK Insurance Brokers NSW/ACT: Craig Claughton, Marsh Qld: Anthony Venning, Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors Vic/Tas: Ian Goninon, Capital Innovation Insurance Group

NIBA Warren Tickle Memorial Award (YP BOTY)

NSW/ACT: Megan Farmer, Markey Insurance and Risk Qld: Alishia Oliver, Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors SA/NT: Patrick McCole, Aon WA: Luke Cameron, Albany District Insurance Brokers Vic/Tas: Mitchell Wright, Integral

I am so pleased that NIBA has been able to recognise and celebrate excellence in insurance broking this year and the last, in the midst of huge uncertainty as to what was happening with COVID-19, the economy, the insurance industry, and again this year as the challenges continue.

Despite the uncertainty and challenges, insurance brokers have continued to serve their clients to the best of their ability, and it is wonderful to see the dedication and professionalism of our award finalists and indeed all insurance brokers.

The judging of the national winners is now underway, and I look forward to the announcements that will be made revealing this year’s winners.

Sincere thanks to QBE for their ongoing support of the Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Insurance Broker of the Year, and to Vero for their long-term support of the Warren Tickle Memorial Award for Young Professional Insurance Broker of the Year.

Lockdowns

At the time of writing, Sydney remains in lockdown with significant COVID-19 diagnoses being reported daily, Melbourne remains in lockdown, and lockdowns are being announced for the ACT and all of regional New South Wales.

It is clear to me that JobKeeper and other government support programs managed to keep businesses together during 2020, with most clients renewing their insurance programs during the year.

There are signs that 2021 may have a different outcome. The support programs are more limited in scope, and the ongoing lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne appear to be having a dramatic impact on many areas of economic activity.

I hope brokers do not lose too many clients as a result of these lockdowns. I suspect the experience of insurance brokers will be an early warning signal to the Federal and State Governments regarding the economic impact of COVID-19 this year. I hope the experience is not too negative or distressing.

Convention

Based on the current COVID-19 outbreak and lockdowns, we have decided to postpone the 2021.2 Convention to a later date (details on page 26). In pushing the conference back, we aim to continue to celebrate the work insurance brokers are doing for their clients despite the issues and challenges of the pandemic.

Please don’t forget to register for the reconfigured 2021.2 NIBA Convention. You can attend the Convention in a mainland capital city, and access the remainder of the convention program virtually, or you can access the whole convention program virtually.

DALLAS BOOTH

Chief Executive Officer, NIBA