When insurance broker Shane Brady (main picture, right) was named Australia Underwriting Broker of the Year at the Insurance Business Awards, the win came as a genuine surprise. Sitting at the sponsor's table with no particular expectation of recognition, the director of Stone Lane Broking & Risk Advisory found himself selected at the end of an evening that celebrated excellence across the sector. The experience highlighted questions about the value of industry awards and what they reveal about professional standards in insurance broking.
Brady attributes his recognition to specific professional qualities that define trusted client relationships. "I look at the skill set of any competent broker or one that is trusted - it's being genuine, authentic and empathetic," he said.
Brady emphasised the importance of building lasting connections with clients. "If you're your genuine self and not trying to pretend to be someone else that you're not, that builds connection with your clients and you become a really trusted advisor as opposed to the person that organises your insurance," he said.
This distinction between service provider and trusted advisor appears to be gaining significance in the industry. Brady noted that these qualities represent a common thread among successful brokers rather than differentiators, suggesting the profession is converging around higher standards of client engagement.
Industry awards themselves serve a function beyond individual recognition. They establish benchmarks for professional excellence that extend across the sector. "I think that within the industry, once you're in it and you can fully understand and grasp the size and level of professionalism that we have in the insurance industry, these types of awards are very prestigious and yes, they do raise the bar right across the sector," said Brady.
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The awards provide external validation of professional standards that organisations like ANZIIF have been developing for decades. While the negative image of the insurance industry remains hard to budge among the general public, awards help communicate the professionalism embedded within the sector to those entering this career and can help slowly change these ingrained public views.
Brady encourages broader participation in the nomination process itself. "I would encourage anyone who's got someone in their network that they feel does a really over and above great job to nominate them for an award... It takes 30 seconds to do it but doing so can have a great impact on someone else's trajectory." He cites his own experience as an example.
"To genuinely be nominated by somebody else who thinks you're doing a good job is a very humbling thing, and it can really make a huge impact on someone's career," said Brady.
Nominations for the Insurance Business Awards 2026 close in a few days: on November 28. For more information, including how to nominate and register, please visit the awards website.
Full picture credit: Sponsor and Broker of the Year award presenter, Akshay Vincent from Australia Underwriting (main picture, left), with Shane Brady, Stone Lane Broking & Risk Advisory
