NIBA crowns WA broker award winners

FordSure Director Derek Ford and Marsh Managing Principal Selena Piggott have won this year’s National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) awards for WA, recognising excellence in the broking profession.

Mr Ford was named WA Broker of the Year. He competed against finalists Grace Insurance Director Frans du Plessis, JL Insurance Brokers Director Jade Lyons and Imperium Insurance & Financial Solutions MD Sumit Sopori.

Ms Piggott was named WA Young Professional Broker of the Year. She competed against Lockton Companies Senior Associate Construction Cameron Gaspar and Aon Client Manager Mining and Construction Nikita Piil.

The winners were announced today at the annual WA NIBA gala lunch at Crown Perth.

“We congratulate Derek and Selena, and would like to acknowledge all the finalists who demonstrated a commitment to professionalism and ongoing improvement,” NIBA CEO Philip Kewin said.

“We have outstanding talent in the broking industry and these awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of these professionals.”

The pair join Gallagher Senior Account Executive Daniel Quintin and Aon/Affinity Insurance Brokers Client Manager Greg Shallard – the 2022 winners in Victoria/Tasmania – and soon-to-be-named regional winners in Queensland, NSW/ACT and SA/NT in competing for national honours.

The national Broker of the Year receives the Stephen Ball Memorial Award, which is sponsored by QBE, while the national Young Professional Broker of the Year is awarded the Warren Tickle Memorial Award and joins sponsor Vero’s prestigious Young Brokers Alumni Program.

The two national winners will be announced in October.

“At Fordsure, Derek has set a very high standard of customer service and client advocacy, and we commend him for his remarkable broking achievements,” QBE Australia Pacific GM Partnerships – Business Lorelle Hillman said.

Vero’s State Distribution Manager WA Shane Butcher said Ms Piggott was a “great ambassador for the insurance broking profession.

“She is a true advocate for her clients, both SME and commercial, and is a great contributor to the broader industry,” he said. “Vero is proud to support the next generation of insurance brokers and its longstanding association with NIBA’s Young Professionals and the Warren Tickle Award.”

In the other regions, Queensland winners will be announced on Wednesday at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the NSW/ACT winners on July 21 at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney, and the SA/NT winners on July 22 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Here are the competitors in those three regions:

Broker of the Year finalists:

Queensland: WTW Property and Casualty Account Director Sally Coulton, Aon Team Leader Vanessa Hilton, and Nutrien Ag Solutions Divisional Insurance Manager North Queensland Rebecca Gilbert.

NSW/ACT: Citadel Insurance Services Director Nicholas Bedggood, Aon Placement Director Property Sarah Worpole and Intuitive Insurance Solutions MD Shane Thaw.

SA/NT: Yet to be announced

Young Broker of the Year finalists:

Queensland: Thompson Insurance Account Manager William Thompson, Collective Insurance Brokers Queensland Branch Manager Alison Morrissey and Allegiant IRS Senior Account Manage Cormack Hankinson.

NSW/ACT: Principle Insurance MD Elliott Morris, Austbrokers Client Service Manager Brian Compay, DLB Insurance + Risk Solutions MD Dean Bowen and Ausure MD Sam Hunter.

SA/NT: Marsh Principal NT Shaun Thomas, Maxton Account Executive Joseph Cuzzocrea and Be Covered Insurance Brokers MD Candice Klau.