Community Broker Network raised more than $130,000 for charity at its annual Shine conference last month.  

At the event in Canberra, the Shine awards were presented and CBN CEO Richard Crawford launched the Better Together Playbook, providing brokers with a practical framework to drive collaboration and growth across the network.

“Everything we do is about building better brokers, better business and a better community, and Shine 2025 proved just how powerful that focus can be,” Mr Crawford said.  

A panel session featured CBN chairman Gary Seymour and industry figures Nigel Fitzgerald and Jeff Holland, and another exploring innovation, efficiency and growth featured Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance CEO Katrina  Shanks, Mr Seymour, Atmosphere Capital director Austin Szramka and CBN’s EGM of broking operations Wendy Foweraker.

Next year’s event will be in Cairns in August.

This year’s Shine award winners are:

• Industry partner professional of the year – James Clay, Pen Underwriting
• Industry partner of the year – Chubb Insurance
• Celebrating excellence or service to the community – NLT Insurance Brokers
• Individual authorised representative of the year – Helle Cook, Canegrowers & Solaris Insurance Brokers
• Corporate authorised brokerage of the year (one to six staff) – Chris Durrant & Associates; (seven-plus staff) – Trade Risk  
• Networking rising star of the year – Aaron Cooper, Cruz Business Insurance
• Non-advisory staff member of the year – Kahala Dwyer, NLT Insurance Brokers
• Business improvement of the year – Irene Zhu, KeyInsure
• CBN staff member of the year – Owen Mulhall