More than 400 insurance professionals from around the country gathered at The Hilton Hotel in Sydney on May 2 for the Insurance Business Australia Awards 2025. The official commemorative guide for that prize giving night is now available free. The guide includes a full list of winners, photos and a short video of the action.
The evening – including dinner, music and live entertainment – focused on celebrating the industry’s high achievers across 21 categories.
The winners ranged from young professionals early in their careers to industry veterans.
“It's fabulous,” said Robert Kelly, CEO of Steadfast Group as he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The competition was tough for the broker awards.
“It’s incredibly humbling,” said Shane Brady, director of Stone Lane Broking & Risk Advisory. From a strong lineup of contenders, he won the Australia Underwriting Broker of the Year.
The Australian Brokerage of the Year award was won by GT Insurance Brokers. The firm’s founder and director Glenn Thomas was there to accept the prize.
Authorised Representative of the Year was won by Peter Chamberlain, managing director of allinsure. He beat a field of contenders that included Excellence Awardee Spencer Hon, principal of Eternity Insurance & Financial Services.
Awards for insurance firms included the Underwriting Agencies Council Underwriting Agency of the Year Award. CHU Underwriting Agencies was the winner. This firm edged out competition from Excellence Awardees like Agile Underwriting Services and MHIA Insurance.
Another big prize: CEO of the Year, went to Michael Gottlieb from BizCover.
The Young Achiever was sponsored by Elantis Premium Funding. This prize recognised an outstanding young insurance broker in the industry, under the age of 40. Tate Harris from allinsure was the winner. He edged out Excellence Awardees Andrew Brett from Infosure, Austin Rosier from Omnisure and Shaun Sirbadhoo from Protego Risk Group.
“At Elantis, we’re all about backing young insurance brokers because they bring fresh perspectives and digital know-how that really drive innovation,” said CEO Rachael Lavars.
The engine room of the insurance industry: claims teams, was also in line for prizes. NTI took out that award.
Daniel Lukich, AAMC’s sales and strategic relationship manager, said a big reason behind his firm’s decision to sponsor the Claims Team of the Year prize was to celebrate the particularly hard-working people in this essential part of the industry.
“I’ve always felt that working in claims is thankless and tough, especially now, as the bulk of complaints insurance companies receive are primarily about claims execution,” said Lukich.
Lukich said it was important to shine a light on their efforts.
The 21 awards categories targeted the work of brokers, underwriters, insurers, BDMs, authorised representatives (ARs), claims teams and insurtechs.
There were also prizes for women of distinction and for excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Wendy Foweraker, executive general manager of broking operations for the Community Broker Network (CBN), won the Woman of Distinction Award.
The CBN leader acknowledged that the competition in her category was top notch and many of them were friends.
“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.
With all the challenges and pressure in the daily work of insurance professionals, many industry stakeholders would agree that recognition from industry peers can help reinforce and encourage good work.
Xceedance won the Best Service Provider of the Year – Insurtech. The award was accepted by Prateek Vijayvergia, the firm’s senior vice president.
“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.
Other supporters included HDI Global SE, who kept the champagne flowing, and Crawford & Company (Australia,) sponsor of the photobooth. Raindrop was social media sponsor.
Did you attend the Awards? Now that you’ve had time to reflect, please tell us what you enjoyed about the event below.
