The annual Insurance Business Australia Awards is over for another year. In the pleasant afterglow of the celebration we’d like to thank all the judges: 26 industry leaders from across Australia’s insurance sector.
IB would like to thank them for dedicating time and expertise to go through nominations and carefully select the ultimate winners.
This year’s panel:
Leo Abbruzzo, executive chairman, DUAL ANZ
David Akers, national sector leader, Insurance, KPMG
Diego Ascani, CEO, Sedgwick Australia
Jenny Bax, CEO, Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC)
Trent Brown, director distribution, Allstate Underwriting
Lisa Carter, CEO, Clear Insurance
Anna Cranney, partnerships manager, Insurtech Australia
Marc Crossman, group strategy and distribution manager, UAA Group
Andrew Davies, CEO, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Tony Dodd, CEO, GT Insurance
Colin Fagen, managing director, Blue Zebra Insurance
Stacy Finnegan, Broking Advisory Board chairperson, Australian and New Zealand Institute Of Insurance & Finance (ANZIIF)
Chris Hamilton, head of marketing and communications (APAC), Duck Creek Technologies
Elliot Hill, managing director, business, QBE Insurance
Jonathan Hubbard, president, Australia, Crawford & Company Australia
Marni Jackson, head of product, Youi
Maya Lazarus, claims manager – Brooklyn Underwriting & AXA XL
Simon Lightbody, CEO, Rhodian Group
Eric Lowenstein, CEO, Tego
Carola Moore, head of group claims, AIA Australia
Richard Osborn, chief of staff, AXA XL
Kirsty Owens, national e-business manager, Berkley Insurance Australia
Sare Ozkara, executive manager, broker partnerships, Vero
Tesh Patel, managing director, Delta Insurance Australia
Danielle Whitelock. general manager – client experience, Achmea
Rachel York, COO, Clover Insurance
The selection process for the winners in 21 different awards categories involved judges marking and commenting on each submission against specific criteria. Here are some of their comments:
Insurance Lab won the Small Brokerage award. “Niche, focused and successful are the three words which came to mind,” said one judge in comments.
The winner of the ShieldCover Medium Brokerage award was Trade Risk. “Fantastic results and an excellent customer retention rate,” said a judge. “Punchy, action orientated, forward thinking, and it’s all translating to financial sustainability and success - great work!”
The Woman of Distinction prize was won by Claire Burke, from CHU Underwriting Agencies. One judge referred to her “pioneering role in leading and building the national specialty risk team,” recognitions like the 2023 ANZIIF Making A Difference Award, and “unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
AAMC Claims Team of the Year was won by Emergence Insurance whose “great submission,” said one judge, was “very engaging.” The same judge complimented “Great turnaround times and NPS scores.”
The Insurer of the Year was won by Vero. “It’s been refreshing to note that Vero is addressing feedback received and replacing its legacy systems that have hindered its operation,” said a judge. “Other insurers should follow suit.”
The Insurance Business Australia Awards 2024 were held earlier this month at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. The evening’s fun involved an awards presentation, a three-course dinner, music by Party Band’s Atomic (main picture) and live entertainment.
“It’s absolutely fabulous,” said Keith Roderick, managing director of Roderick Insurance Brokers and winner of the Lifetime Achievement award, the night’s highest honour.
The event was hosted by the witty comedian, radio broadcaster and television presenter Merrick Watts.
“It’s worth reflecting on the industry that we all, including me this evening, are a part of,” he said. “You play an unusually important role.”
Watts said hosting the 2024 Awards was an easy choice.
“I had been booked to be a judge for the Victoria’s Secret lingerie awards,” he said. “Then my manager rang up and said, ‘Hold it! The Insurance Business Awards has called!’ And I said, ‘I think we know where I’ll be going on Friday night!’’
Delegates came from across the country, representing insurers, brokers, underwriters, claims management companies, loss adjusters and other industry firms.
One novelty at this year’s seventh annual event was a number of new categories including the Lifetime award, Woman of Distinction, CEO of the Year and Outstanding Customer Experience award.
This year’s awards event was sponsored by AAMC, QBE Q nect, Australia Underwriting and ShieldCover. The photobooth was supported by Crawford & Company and the champagne by Financial Education.
Did you attend this year’s Insurance Business Awards? Please tell us what you liked most about it below
