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The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has extended honorary life membership to Megan Beer, group chief operating officer of Resolution Life.

ANZIIF recognised Beer for her service to the organisation, having been a fellow, president, and director for the institute.

She served as president of ANZIIF between 2019 and 2021, and as director of the organisation from 2015 until 2022.

ANZIIF also awarded Jim Karafilis and Michael Pennell the Service Awards, which recognise members who have made a significant contribution to the organisation.

Karafilis is an ANZIIF fellow and past member of the institute’s General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board.

He is now working part-time and independently after 11 years with Insurance House Advance, where he most recently worked as general manager.

Pennell has over two decades of industry experience, having held reinsurance management roles at Swiss Re and General Re.

He also previously worked as chief underwriting officer of the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation.

ANZIIF also awarded the E.E. Vines Memorial Prize to Siew Wei Chai, corporate authorised representative of Aon.

The award commemorates Ernest Edward Vines, the first secretary of the Australia Insurance Institute. The prize is awarded to an ANZIIF member with the most meritorious article.

Siew Wei was recognised for her article titled, “Insurance premiums and affordability: How can we curb the cycle of loss and costs?”

It was published in the ANZIIF Journal (Vol. 46, no. 2).

In a statement, ANZIIF said the awards exemplify “dedication, passion, and professionalism” in the insurance sector, congratulating the 2024 recipients and wishing them success in their endeavours.