Shannan Gardner of Guardian Insurance Brokers has won the SA/NT broker of the year award and Thomas Lawrie from Astute Insurance Services has taken the region’s young broker prize.

Ms Gardner is a client relationship manager and Mr Lawrie is an account director, according to their LinkedIn accounts.

The National Insurance Brokers Association presented the awards today at the Adelaide Oval, in front of more than 400 guests.

“NIBA’s award program is an important platform to recognise the exceptional talent that is leading our profession towards being future-ready,” association president Nick Cook said.

Senior award sponsor CGU’s EM for broker strategic growth Giselle Walther says Ms Gardner’s “dedication to client advocacy and technical excellence sets her apart, and we’re proud to recognise her achievement”.

Young broker sponsor Vero’s EM for SA and NT commercial insurance Karen Thomas says Mr Lawrie “has shown a real focus on client advocacy and his own professional growth.

“It’s brokers like him who are the reason why Vero has proudly backed NIBAʼs young broker award for well over three decades.”

The Adelaide-based pair are now in the running with other regional winners for NIBA’s national awards, to be revealed in October at the association’s convention on the Gold Coast.