Alison Gemmell from Aon has been named the 2026 National Broker of the Year by the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), announced at the association’s gala dinner at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on October 20.
The CGU-partnered award is decided through a five-region competition covering NSW/ACT, Queensland, SA/NT, Victoria/Tasmania, and Western Australia. State winners advance to the national round, where they are judged on professionalism, integrity, and client commitment.
Gemmell follows Caleb Richards of Gallagher in 2025 and Matthew Bates of Bell Partners Insurance in 2024, according to NIBA’s published award winners list. Her win is the latest by a broker from one of the large international firms after several years in which independent and mid-market brokerages featured prominently, with Bates (Bell Partners), Barry Sonter (Finsura) in 2023, and Tony Venning (Crucial Insurance) in 2021 all representing smaller operations.
NIBA CEO Richard Klipin said: “This year’s finalists bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to professionalism. Thank you to our judging panel, and congratulations to Alison, as well as Brooke, Deb, Jodi, and Shannan, for showing that our brokers are future-ready and our profession is in capable hands.”
The other finalists were Brooke Tarr (KBI), Deb Gibson (Aon), Jodi Sharman (Gallagher), and Shannan Gardner (Guardian Insurance Brokers). Two of the five finalists were from Aon, which also swept both NSW/ACT broker categories earlier in 2026.
Read more: Record broker response puts nine insurers in line for NIBA awards
The awards arrive at a point of consolidation for the profession. According to NIBA, brokers manage approximately $35.6 billion in intermediated gross written premium (GWP), representing close to half of all general insurance premiums written nationally. NIBA members account for 96% of that intermediated market.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) publishes bi-annual intermediated general insurance statistics tracking premiums placed through intermediaries with APRA-authorised general insurers, Lloyd’s underwriters, and unauthorised foreign insurers.
NIBA data also shows 38% of broker-written premiums are for clients outside capital cities, underlining the channel’s role in regional and rural coverage. At the same time, the profession is ageing. Brokers aged 18 to 29 make up about 11% of the workforce, matching the 60-and-over cohort, while the median age sits at 44.
The gala also named insurer and underwriting agency winners, determined by the 2026 NIBA Broker Market Survey run independently by NielsenIQ. More than 1,070 brokers responded this year, a record for the survey.
Zurich was named Large General Insurer of the Year, an award presented for more than two decades. Angela Carter, director, brand and media at NielsenIQ, said: “Zurich had a strong year, improving on many measures important to brokers, like being responsive, trusted and an insurer that brokers are happy to promote to others.” The finalists were Chubb and Vero.
Liberty took Specialty Insurer of the Year for a second consecutive year, ahead of finalists Berkley Insurance Australia and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. NTI won Underwriting Agency of the Year, also for the second year running, over finalists DUAL Australia and Emergence Insurance. Carter said NTI led “on almost every metric insurers are marked on” and had “market leading NPS, with significantly more Promoters among Australian brokers.”
The repeat wins by Liberty and NTI are worth noting for brokers assessing placement options. In both cases, NielsenIQ attributed the results to consistency in underwriting, claims servicing, and account management.
Alyssa Sanfilippo from Lockton Companies Australia received the Vero-partnered 2026 National Young Broker of the Year award, open to brokers under 35. The partnership between NIBA and Vero on this award has run for 37 years.
Anthony Pagano, head of distribution at Vero, said: “Young brokers are helping drive innovation and better outcomes for Australian businesses, and Alyssa is a standout example of that impact. Her initiative to identify emerging client needs and find new ways to strengthen protection reflects the initiative, insight and advocacy that great brokers bring to their clients every day.”
The finalists were Emily Booth (Aon), Isabella Moran (Howden), Laith Parissi (Aon), and Thomas Lawrie (Astute Insurance Services).
Read more: More premium, fewer brokers: inside Australia’s intermediary shift
Gary Okely, head of JLT public sector - Pacific at Marsh McLennan, received the 2026 Lex McKeown Trophy for long-standing service to NIBA. Okely served on the NIBA board for more than a decade, including as president from 2023 to 2025, during which he led advocacy on insurance affordability, workers’ compensation reform, and strata insurance.
NIBA president Nick Cook said: “Gary has given an extraordinary amount to NIBA and to the profession over more than a decade on the board. His steady leadership, commitment to members, and focus on raising professional standards have strengthened the Association and the value we deliver to brokers and their clients.”
Paul Davenport from Affinity Insurance Brokers was named Community Excellence Member of the Year for his work with young people through equine education programmes, including in the Northern Territory and with Indigenous youth.
