The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has named Nicholas Bedggood and Dean Bowen as the NSW/ACT region winners of its 2022 broker awards.
Bedggood, principal and founder of Citadel Insurance, was recognised as Broker of the Year. A marine insurance specialist, he joined NIBA’s mentoring program in 2016 as a mentor and was made a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker (QPIB) in 2018. He also launched Marine Skippers Insurance with fellow awardee Bowen earlier this month.
The Broker of the Year Award, sponsored this year by QBE, is given to an individual broker who has shown excellence in broking practice and client advocacy and is deemed by NIBA as an “inspirational role model for the broking community.”
“On behalf of the QBE team, I’d like to congratulate Nicholas on winning this year’s NSW/ACT Broker of the Year Award,” said Lorelle Hillman, general manager partnerships – business at QBE Australia Pacific. “Nicholas has set a very high standard with his exceptional customer service and client advocacy at Citadel Insurance, and we commend him for his inspiring broking achievements.”
Bowen, managing director of DLB Insurance & Risk Solutions, was named Young Broker of the Year. He has been working in the insurance industry since 2008, specialising in insurance and risk management for small to medium sized businesses. He was made QPIB in 2021.
The Young Broker of the Year Award was sponsored by Vero and recognises rising stars of the broking industry aged 35 and under.
“Dean has forged an impressive career, running his own brokerage business since 2017,” said Yusuf Alexander, Vero’s state distribution manager for the NSW/ACT region. “He is a talented young broker and has already built a reputation for high standards. Dean represents the best of the broking profession, and Vero is delighted to provide ongoing support to all brokers like him across the country.”
Bedggood and Bowen will go on to compete with other regional winners for NIBA’s national awards. The winners of the Stephen Ball Broker of the Year Award and the Warren Tickle Young Broker of the Year will be announced in October.
“We congratulate Nicholas and Dean, and would like to acknowledge all the finalists who demonstrated a commitment to professionalism and ongoing improvement,” said NIBA CEO Philip Kewen. “'These awards are a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the calibre and accomplishments of the outstanding talent in the broking industry.”
