2025 ANZIIF Insurance Industry Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence

Sydney came alive on Thursday 21 August as more than 850 insurance professionals gathered at The Star Event Centre for the 21st ANZIIF Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

Hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF), the annual night of nights in the insurance industry was a spectacular celebration of resilience, innovation, and the collective achievements of the sector.

From the moment TV personality Osher Günsberg took the stage, the room buzzed with energy. Guests were treated to a breathtaking aerial performance by Leo Pentland, who seemed to defy gravity, and a moving performance from proud Gamilaraay man and multimedia artist Mitch Tambo, whose powerful voice and storytelling had the crowd on their feet, clapping and joining in a Congo line as they followed along. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric.

Celebrating unity and progress

Welcoming guests to the event, ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks reflected on the milestone 21st year of the Awards. She reminded the audience that while trophies and titles are important, the real achievement is in what they represent — an industry that continues to raise the bar, innovate, and put customers first.

“Tonight we celebrate not only winners, but the shared progress of a profession that is stronger, more customer-focused, and more innovative than ever before,” she said.

“The ANZIIF Awards profile what a good industry should be — community service, commitment to raising standards, and always putting the customer at the centre of everything we do.”

Honouring industry Icons

The night’s highest honours, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to two leaders whose influence has shaped the very fabric of insurance in Australia.

Robert Kelly AM, Co-founder and CEO of Steadfast, was celebrated for building one of the world’s largest broking networks and for his decades-long commitment to strengthening and uniting the broking community. His story — from setbacks early in his career to leading a $6 billion enterprise — is a powerful reminder of perseverance and vision.

Ian Carr, Founder of Insurance Advisernet, was honoured for pioneering the Authorised Representative model and creating one of the most successful broker networks in Australia and New Zealand. Known for his humility, mentorship, and philanthropic leadership through the Insurance Advisernet Foundation, Carr’s legacy is one of both innovation and humanity.

The audience erupted in applause for both men, recognising their immense contributions to the profession and the communities it serves.

Recognising Excellence Across the Industry

Small–Medium Broking Company of the Year – Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers (WSIB)
Praised for outstanding client service, community involvement, and a remarkable 95% client retention rate, WSIB impressed judges with its strong ethical foundation and proactive approach to supporting vulnerable clients. Accepting the award, John Saunders said: “We’ve got a wonderful team of people and a history that goes back 64 years — this win is all dedicated to them. Their loyalty and dedication are the real reason we continue to thrive as a business.”

Large Broking Company of the Year – Aon
For the third year running, Aon took the title, recognised for its client-first innovation, including a cutting-edge Flood Parametric Solution, and its deep commitment to professional development and community partnerships. CEO Kevan Johnston said: “Winning three years in a row is outstanding — it’s a testament to our team, and we never take it for granted.”

Authorised Representative Network of the Year – Community Broker Network (CBN)
With over 700 ARs and groundbreaking initiatives like its AI-powered broker assistant, CBN stood out for combining operational excellence with genuine community impact. Nese Akay reflected: “This recognition is about everything our team does every day — it’s humbling and such a proud moment for all of us.”

Underwriting Agency of the Year – NTI
NTI once again proved its leadership, winning for its sustainability strategy, customer care, and commitment to ethical, forward-thinking practices. CEO Janelle Green said: “Our people are passionate specialists who connect deeply with our customers — this win is for them. It shows that when you put customers first and listen to their needs, the results speak for themselves.”

Claims Team of the Year – NTI
Taking home a double victory, NTI’s claims team was recognised for redefining excellence with fast, empathetic service and innovative approaches to customer support. Mary-Ann Van Rensburg commented: “We’re specialists in our market, and every claim interaction reflects that. I’m so proud of my team.”

Small–Medium General Insurance Company of the Year – Adica Insurance
Adica impressed with its innovation, including usage-based insurance trials to reduce accidents and emissions, and its market-leading first-call resolution rate of 97.5%. Andrea Gardiner said: “We’re a small team of just 26 people, and this award is a tribute to their commitment and heart.”

Large General Insurance Company of the Year – QBE
QBE took top honours for its commitment to vulnerable customers, climate resilience, and its use of technology like geospatial data to improve disaster response and claims outcomes. CFO Chris Esson said: “This award is recognition of the incredible work of over 3,000 staff who serve our customers every day.”

Life Insurance Company of the Year – NobleOak Life
Judges applauded NobleOak’s consistently strong customer satisfaction, ethical leadership, and tailored support for vulnerable clients — achievements that delivered both growth and community impact. James Marshall reflected: “We treat our customers as we would treat our own family and friends in their time of need — this recognition means the world.”

Insurtech Start-up of the Year – ClaimsGateway
A first-time winner, ClaimsGateway transformed claims management with real-time data, compliance alerts, and efficiency gains that slashed average claim times from 70 days to just 11. Georgia McKelvey said: “We’re a small, agile team — to be recognised for building something from the ground up is amazing.”

Professional Services Firm of the Year – Finity
Taking the award for the sixth time, Finity once again showed why it is regarded as a thought leader, with standout work in climate scenario analysis, AI training, and client-focused solutions. Scott Collings said: “This shows we’re doing the right things for clients and delivering real value to the industry.”

Service Provider to the Insurance Industry – EML
Newcomer EML won praise for its strong retention rates, innovation in return-to-work programs, and meaningful community contributions, including suicide prevention initiatives in the construction sector. Cameron McCullagh said: “I love our people, and this award is a great accolade to the work they do every day.”

Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion – Swiss Re
Swiss Re was celebrated for embedding inclusion into every stage of the employee lifecycle, achieving outstanding results such as near-elimination of the gender pay gap and increased female leadership representation. Richard Foda said: “This recognition reflects our focus on creating a place where people can be their authentic selves at work.”

Young Insurance Professional of the Year – Ben McInnes, MHIA Insurance
Ben’s journey from trainee to Managing Director exemplifies ambition and leadership. Under his stewardship, MHIA achieved record results, while he continues to mentor young professionals and champion community initiatives. McInnes said: “Insurance is an amazing profession — developing young talent has been a cornerstone of our success, and I’m buzzing to win this award.”

Each announcement was met with cheers and applause, as colleagues, peers, and friends recognised the immense talent within their industry.

A Night to Remember

The gala event buzzed with pride, excitement, and camaraderie, as industry leaders and emerging talent came together to honour the best in insurance.

“Our industry is built on trust, resilience, and community — and the Awards remind us of the extraordinary people and organisations who uphold those values every day,” says ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks.

But the 2025 Awards weren’t just about recognising past highlights. They were about looking to the future, as insurance professionals continue to innovate, adapt, and support communities in an ever-changing world.

Looking Ahead

Marking 21 years of celebrating excellence, the ANZIIF Australian Insurance Industry Awards have become the benchmark for professional recognition across the sector. With more than 100 entries this year and record numbers in attendance, the bar has once again been set higher.

As the lights dimmed and guests spilled out into the rainy Sydney night, one thing was clear: the industry is not only thriving, but united in its mission to protect, support, and innovate for the future.