The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), the peak representative body for the intermediate insurance industry in Australia, has revealed the winners of its Victorian/Tasmanian broker awards for 2021.
Sponsored by insurance giant QBE, the Broker of the Year Award goes to an individual broker who demonstrated excellence in broking practice and client advocacy. Meanwhile, Vero sponsored the Young Professional Broker of the Year Award, which recognises the broking industry's rising stars under the age of 35.
This year, NIBA has named Ian Goninon of Capital Innovation Insurance Group as the Broker of the Year. Meanwhile, Mitchell Wight of Integral Insurance Services took home the Young Professional Broker of the Year Award. Both winners will now compete nationally.
NIBA chief executive officer Dallas Booth congratulated the winners and wished them the best of luck in the national awards.
“We congratulate all the finalists who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and competence in the broking industry,” Booth added. “We had a significant number of applications this year, and the finalists represent the cream of the crop.”
Elliot Hill, the general manager for sales and relationship management at QBE Insurance, noted Goninon's dedication to client advocacy.
“On behalf of the QBE team, I'd like to congratulate this year's Broker of the Year Award winner, Ian Goninon from Capital Innovation. There is an abundance of talented brokers across the region, so being named a finalist and a winner, especially in this current environment, is a truly tremendous achievement,” Hill said.
“[Goninon] has set a high standard for providing excellent customer service that consistently meets and exceeds the needs of their clients.”
Meanwhile, Megan Lewis, the state manager for Victoria and Tasmania at Vero, said Wight demonstrated his leadership skills and showed a strong commitment to ongoing professional development by mentoring his peers in addition to his professional commitments.
“He represents the best of the broking profession, and Vero is delighted to provide ongoing support to all brokers like him across the country,” Lewis added.
The national Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Insurance Broker of the Year and Warren Tickle Memorial Award for Young Professional Broker of the Year will be chosen from five region winners and announced at NIBA's National Convention.
