Fidelity Life announces nominees for 2023 adviser awards

Fidelity Life, New Zealand’s largest locally owned life insurer, has unveiled the nominees shortlisted for its 2023 adviser awards. These awards recognize advisers who consistently achieve positive outcomes for customers while upholding high industry standards.

The awards will be presented across five categories during Fidelity Life’s Engage conferences scheduled to take place next month in Christchurch and Auckland. The categories are as follows:

Breakthrough Adviser of the Year - this award acknowledges emerging advisers (with less than 10 years’ industry experience) who are dedicated to continuous education, industry involvement, and innovation to establish modern financial advisory businesses

• Kimberley Stevenson, With You Financial Services – Christchurch
• Kylie Connor, Mainland – Timaru
• Sascha Nettmann, Buffer Insurance – Auckland
• Shakeel Lal, Halo Advisers – Auckland
• Steve Munro, Risk Direct – Auckland

Cary Veenhof Award – named in honour of a former Fidelity Life business manager, this award is granted to an adviser exemplifying strong values, respect for insurance partners, and consistent delivery of exceptional customer service

• Amanda Haskins, Haskins Insurance Solutions – Christchurch
• Anthony Gobbie, Insurance Design – Auckland
• Brett Stonham, Stonham and Co – Auckland
• Tim Lethlean, Delray Group – Christchurch

Team of the Year – this accolade goes to an advisory business with an exceptional strategy, strong brand, and effective leadership team driving superior advisory solutions

• Adelphi Insurance Brokers, Chris Boon – Christchurch
• Financial Independence, Matt Beattie – Tauranga
• Insure Ltd, Dave Jochem – Christchurch
• Total Life, Craig Kura – Invercargill

In addition to these three categories, two prestigious awards will be presented to select winners:

• Lifetime Award – recognizing a seasoned adviser (with over 20 years’ experience) who has demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to the industry, celebrating their impactful contributions throughout their distinguished career
• Gordon Watson Trophy – named after Fidelity Life’s founder, this award acknowledges an adviser who champions Fidelity Life’s customer-centric values, achieves remarkable business success, and exhibits significant personal and professional growth, while actively contributing to their own improvement and that of others

Fidelity Life chief sales and service officer Bronwyn Kirwan (pictured) said the annual awards celebrate advisers' remarkable work within the community.

“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we also honour our partnerships with advisers since 1973. Our achievements are intertwined, and at Engage, we'll unveil exciting plans focused on enhancing our adviser experience and setting us up for another 50 years of shared success,” Bronwyn said.

Fidelity Life’s flagship adviser conference, Engage 2023, is scheduled in Christchurch on September 12-13, followed by Auckland on September 20-21. Both locations are Toitū-certified carbon zero events.

The insurer unveiled the speaker lineup in July but has now also announced some changes. A Fidelity Life spokesperson confirmed that Adviser Ratings founder Angus Woods will no longer be part of the speaker lineup for Engage 2023.

Bronwyn Kirwan recognized as one of the Best Female Insurance Leaders in NZ. See the full list of winners in IB's Elite Women 2023 special report.

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