The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Personal Finance Society (PFS) held their third annual Apprenticeship Awards and Qualification Prize Giving Ceremony on October 17, 2025, recognising achievements across the insurance and financial planning sectors.
The event, held in Westminster Hall, brought together award winners, finalists, and industry representatives. PFS President Carla Brown attended alongside colleagues and guests to celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers, and training providers.
The Apprenticeship Awards are designed to highlight the importance of professional development and the role apprenticeships play in addressing the industry’s skills gap. The programme recognises individuals and organisations demonstrating excellence in learning, innovation, and application of knowledge across a range of insurance and financial planning disciplines. It also showcases how structured training supports career progression and strengthens the professional standards that underpin both sectors.
Saudi-based insurer Tawuniya received the Apprentice Employer of the Year (Large) award, while Simpsons Financial Services was named Apprentice Employer of the Year (SME). Zurich was recognised as Social Equality Apprentice Employer for its work in promoting access and diversity within the workplace.
In the insurance category, Mhairi Lowson received Insurance Practitioner Apprentice of the Year, Abdul Hanan was named Insurance Professional Apprentice of the Year, and Elizabeth Dewick received the Senior Insurance Professional Apprentice of the Year award.
Within financial services, Daniel Martin was named Financial Adviser Apprentice of the Year, Milena Damjanovic received Paraplanner Apprentice of the Year, and Oliver Giles was awarded Financial Services Administrator Apprentice of the Year.
The CII also presented 37 qualification prizes to individuals who achieved outstanding results in exams and coursework across its professional learning programmes. These prizes recognised excellence in technical knowledge and application, with winners receiving up to £1,000 and a certificate.
James O’Hara, Chartered insurance broker at Abbey Insurance, was recognised as Best New Fellow after achieving the highest mark in his major qualification and will receive the CII Rutter Medal, one of the Institute’s most distinguished honours.
Nicola Stacey, president of the CII, said the awards highlighted professionalism, technical ability, and commitment to development across the profession, noting that those recognised should be proud of their work.
Meanwhile, Carla Brown, president of the PFS, said the event demonstrated the strength of apprenticeships in supporting new entrants to the financial planning sector and acknowledged the firms and individuals investing in training and skills development.
