The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has announced the winners of the two categories in this year's “Making a Difference Awards.”
Ryan Jones, from Runacres Insurance, took home the Making a Difference Awards for New Zealand, sponsored by Sedgwick.
Commenting on his award, Jones highlighted the relevance of the award amid the heightened risk of natural disasters in New Zealand.
“Insurance provides a vital partnership to the community and to greater commerce to protect them from this risk,” he said. “In the world we live in, the assets we own are all instrumental to our day-to-day lives. At the same time, they can also be a huge financial burden to individuals and families in our community. Insurance provides certainty and protection to the community to enable people to enjoy their lives without the fear of losing an asset and the financial burden that would ensue.”
Meanwhile, Alana Garnett, from Bridges Insurance, brought home the Making a Difference Awards for Broking, sponsored by QBE.
She revealed that this is her first accolade in the industry, adding: “This really was the cherry on top of a pretty phenomenal year. Knowing that the work I do aids our brokers in doing [the] absolute best for their clients really gets me out of bed in the morning. I always tell my colleagues I am in my dream job, and this really cemented that for me.
“It is really nice to know that the hard work I have put in over the last couple of years [has] paid off and to have this acknowledged by the wider insurance industry.”
ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford highlighted both winners' professionalism, passion for the industry, and dedication to serving their local community.
“Congratulations to Alana and Ryan, both deserving winners of a Making a Difference Award,” Willsford added.
