Nominations are now open for the 2023 edition of the Insurance Business Canada Awards, which recognizes industry-wide excellence throughout various categories. From underwriting to C-suite level leadership, this annual event is an opportunity to elevate the notable achievements of individual professionals and companies making a difference, regardless of size or scope.
Previous recipients of the IBCAs have highlighted how these accolades reflect the efforts of an entire team, how they prompt further action and the importance of bolstering a sense of community.
While there are various categories that honour the excellence of an individual’s role in a business, it is ultimately indicative of the efforts of a broad swath of employees at every level.
Gore Mutual CEO Andy Taylor, who received the CEO of the year award during last year’s return to an in-person event since 2019, said that this achievement is “a reflection of the incredible leadership team that I have and the supportive board that we have behind us.”
“Winning this award is possible because of the amazing employees that come into work every day at Gore Mutual.”
Stephen Billyard, president of Billyard Insurance Group (BIG) — and the winner of last year’s big brokerage of the year — echoed Taylor’s sentiments. “We’ve obviously seen exponential growth over the last number of years but the thing that does it for us is we have, I believe, some of the best people in the business, and we’re having fun. We’re a family and everybody’s in this together.”
Additionally, Asima Zahid, Lloyd’s director of market development and the winner of the Business Development Manager of the year award emphasized the importance of team building and ensuring a successful environment for all.
“Regardless of how a broker fits in with the Lloyd’s proposition, I always try to help them, even going outside of what is required,” she said.
Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are widespread across the insurance industry, recognizing the importance of representing the various experiences, talents and insights of a diverse nation. While DE&I targets are constantly adapting to societal progressions, it showcases a willingness to learn and better understand the communities these businesses and individuals service.
2022’s Leader of Change recipient Sukhdeep Kang, the CEO of Armour Insurance Brokers, acknowledged that winning this award is the not the end goal of her efforts.
“Winning gives me more responsibility to bring change, not only in my office, but across the industry, and to bring more diversity,” she said.
Environmental causes, especially as natural catastrophes grow in severity, is also a core tenet of actionable change within the industry. For insurers, the benefits of helping mitigate and thwart the steep progression of global warming is twofold: it helps protect customers from extensive damages to property, business operations, etc. while also safeguarding businesses from sizeable claims.
Aviva won top honours last year as the P&C Insurer of the Year, which Court Elliott — the company’s SVP of corporate affairs — attributed to its sustainability efforts.
“We’re constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to things like sustainability,” he said. “We’re out there, growing and evolving and investing in the community.”
For insurance professional like Elliott and others, the IBCAs are a celebration of the communities these businesses thrive in, and how bringing essential services to the masses will always be top priority.
Brian Schrayer, CEO of the New Brunswick-based Kent & White Insurance, which snagged the award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, recognized that regardless of an entity’s size, it is integral to be focused bolstering the communities it serves.
“I hope this demonstrates that it doesn’t matter how small or big you are, you can make a difference in your community and around the world.”
Similarly, a Desjardins representative said that this dedication to a collective body, and focusing on giving back and getting involved, greatly helped set their entries apart from the rest.
If you know of an individual or company that deserves to have their cutting-edge operations or indelible leadership recognized, nominate them in one of the categories here. The 2023 edition of the IBCAs will take place this year on November 16 at the Liberty Grand.
