The National Insurance Brokers Association has revealed the 28 finalists in its awards program for this year. 

It will name the first regional winners tomorrow at a gala lunch at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Vying for the CGU-backed broker of the year prize in NSW and ACT are Wagga Wagga-based Gallagher branch manager Caleb Richards, Canberra-based Gallagher broker Gail Murray and Bangalow-based Good Cover founder Matt Williamson.

In the running for young broker of the year – backed by Vero – are Tuggerah-based Network Insurance Group account manager Bailey Ives, Aon Sydney metro regional manager Claire Finch and Sydney-based Aon senior client manager Derek Turner.

“As our profession rises to meet an increasingly complex risk landscape, these finalists exemplify the professionalism and integrity that elevate broking standards nationwide,” association CEO Richard Klipin said today.  

Ten regional winners will contend for national honours, to be announced at the NIBA Convention on the Gold Coast on October 21.

More than 2500 insurance professionals are expected to attend the regional gala lunches, which the association says is a “powerful demonstration of the NIBA community coming together to learn, celebrate and shape change in the profession”.  

Lunches will be held on Friday at Crown Perth; July 18 at the Sofitel in Melbourne; July 23 at The Star Brisbane; and July 25 at Adelaide Oval. 

The other regional finalists are:

WA  broker of the year 

• Bryan Leibbrandt, LML Insurance Group
• Charles Elders, Avoca Insurance Brokers
• Felicity Cowan, Marsh

Young broker

• Melissa Jolly, Pinnacle Insurance Brokers
• Tom Wheeler, Lockton

Victoria/Tasmania  broker of the year 

• Alina Lucaciu, Whitbread Insurance Brokers
• Ashley Johnson, Arcuri & Associates
• Debbie Spandonis, Aon

Young broker

• Alex Pizzol, BJS Insurance Brokers
• James Still, Still Insured
• Jessica Cudia, Simplex Insurance Solutions  

Queensland broker of the year  

• Daniel Berry, Dudgeon Berry Insurance Group
• Kate Greaves, Goldsworthy General Insurance Services

Young broker

• Emily Radmall, Your Insurance Broker
• Rachael Hirsch, Stellar Insurance Brokers  

SA/NT broker of the year 

• James McLaren, Tailored Insurance
• Martyn Luck, Gallagher
• Natalie Basford, Guardian Insurance Brokers

Young broker

• Fabio Lucano, Aon
• Joshua Clayfield, Star Insurance Solutions

Register for the lunches here.