Insurance professionals from around the country gathered at The Hilton Hotel in Sydney last Friday for the Insurance Business Australia Awards 2025. More than 420 people celebrated the industry’s high achievers across 21 categories and enjoyed a three-course dinner, music and live entertainment.
The winners have already been revealed – but here’s what some of them said as they received their prizes and revelled in all the atmosphere and fun of the big night.
“It's fabulous,” said Robert Kelly (pictured immediately below, left side, with award presenter Jonathan Hubbard from Crawford & Company) as he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The industry veteran and CEO of Steadfast Group has arguably influenced Australia’s industry as much as anyone over the decades. He had good reason to celebrate.
“I've worked very hard in this industry,” said Kelly. “[And] when people congratulate you for something you should say, ‘thank you’ – so I think it's great.”
Kelly said there was a time when, upon receiving an award, he’d accept it very quietly. But that intent to be modest, he said, was sometimes taken for arrogance. This time, he said, he was going to adopt a different approach and make some noise.
He also suggested some insightful career advice that other industry professionals could consider.
“I’ve had some successes and some failures,” said Kelly. “In fact, I've had lots of critics and I've learned from what the critics said – some of the critics were very correct – so along the way, I modified what I did and how I went about doing things.”
He also thanked Insurance Business for the award and was clearly having a lot of fun.
“There’s a great turnout, it’s all very exciting and there's a great vibe in the audience,” said Kelly. “People are interested in who's winning, there's competition out there, and there's fun – what else could you ask for?”
Wendy Foweraker, executive general manager of broking operations for the Community Broker Network (CBN), won the Woman of Distinction Award. Foweraker (main picture, right side with award presenter Karina Rodriguez Diaz from HDI Global) was on cloud nine.
“It’s amazing,” she said.
The CBN leader acknowledged that the competition in her category was top notch and many of them friends.
“So yes, it's really nice to be recognized in such an amazing group of people,” said Foweraker. “I love that the Insurance Business Awards brings the profession together and celebrates not only individual achievements but team achievements.”
Foweraker also said, regardless of who wins or loses, the night is really for everyone to celebrate.
She also described her passion for the industry, including underwriting and broking, as “massive.”
“The passion is watching other businesses grow as part of the job that I get to do and bringing new talent into the business,” said Foweraker. “It gets me out of bed in the morning.”
She said community service is also a big motivator for her.
“I get to do that in my own community as well, so I love it,” said Foweraker.
“It’s incredibly humbling, really,” said Shane Brady. “I came up here with no expectations and I certainly did not expect to be standing here with this award.”
Brady is director of Stone Lane Broking & Risk Advisory (pictured immediately below, right side, with award presenter Akshay Vincent from Australia Underwriting). From a strong field of brokers, he won the Australia Underwriting Broker of the Year.
He credited his team for the success.
“I've got such a great team around me and we are dedicated to the craft and also have an attention to detail,” said Brady.
He also said he was “absolutely loving” the evening’s celebrations.
Xceedance won the Best Service Provider of the Year – Insurtech. The award was accepted by Prateek Vijayvergia, the firm’s senior vice president (pictured immediately below, right side, with award presenter Marc Crossman from UAA Group).
“It’s awesome,” said Vijayvergia. “I think this is our second time in a row – I can't wait to make it a hat trick.”
He credited the Xceedence team and also the support his firm gets from the insurance industry.
“I couldn't have asked for more,” said Vijayvergia. “It’s a beautiful night and a great setting.”
AAMC was this year’s Event Partner. The awards were sponsored by Arch Insurance, Australia Underwriting, AXA XL, Elantis Premium Funding, Land + Road by AAMC and the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC).
HDI Global SE was the champagne sponsor. Crawford & Company (Australia) sponsored the photobooth and Raindrop was social media sponsor.
Did you attend the awards night? Please tell us about your evening below.
