Industry excitement at awards placings

Industry players are delighted to make it to the finalist stage of the biggest event in the industry calendar. But for one broker, there’s double delight in store.

Insurance News

By Maryvonne Gray

Rothbury Insurance Brokers Group could be adding multiple feathers to its cap after being named a finalist in not one but two separate awards events.

The company has been selected as a finalist in the medium-large workplace (150-399 employees) category for the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Survey and Awards.

And after that it hopes to knock Willis off the podium for large broking company of the year in the ANZIIF 2014 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

Managing director Roger Abel said it was very satisfying to hear that all their hard work was paying off.

“We are very excited to be named as finalists in both the Best Workplaces Survey and the ANZIIF New Zealand Industry Awards.

“As a business we strive to create a great place for our people to work, at the same time focus on delivering excellent service to our clients. So, it’s very satisfying to hear that we are being recognised for all of the hard work our people do every day.”

Rothbury is not the only industry player to make it to the finalist stage in both awards.

AA Insurance and FMG are vying each other for top position in both ANZIIF’s direct insurance company of the year category and in the large workplace (400-749 employees) category of the Best Workplaces Awards.

FMG took out the most improved large workplace gong in the Best Workplaces Awards last year.

Should AA Insurance succeed it would make three consecutive wins in the NZ industry awards. It has now achieved an incredible seven years in a row as a Best Workplace finalist.

Says CEO Chris Curtin: “It’s always humbling to be nominated for an award, but nominated for two awards is outstanding.

“This is the third year in a row AA Insurance has been nominated for the Direct Insurance Company of the Year award by ANZIIF, and to be recognised by the industry makes me feel extremely proud. 

“This is our seventh year in a row as a finalist in the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces awards, and it’s great to be recognised as one of the best places to work in New Zealand.”

Curtin said the announcements confirmed the strong connection between engaged people and satisfied customers, adding: “I’d like to say a big thank you to all our AA Insurance staff for their contribution. They take time and care with each of our customers, but they also help make AA Insurance a great place to work.”

The direct insurers are not the only ones looking at multiple wins.

In the NZ Insurance Industry Awards five companies look set to secure three consecutive wins, ranging from service providers, direct and intermediated insurers, broking firms and loss adjusters.

As well as AA Insurance, they are Cunningham Lindsey, Willis, JB HiFi and NZI.

Peter Lowe, CEO of Willis New Zealand said he would be thrilled if the industry recognised Willis as the leading large broker for the third year running.

NZI also boasts two of the emerging young professionals of the year, Henry Wallace and June Kuan.

A spokesperson for NZI’s parent company IAG, Craig Dowling, said while he was loath to jinx the potential hat trick, the company was delighted for Wallace and Kuan.

“We are very pleased that these individuals have been recognised as finalists as we place a lot of store in supporting and developing talented insurance professionals,” he said.

The Best Workplaces Awards winners will be announced on 23 October while the NZ Industry Awards winners will be revealed on 6 November.

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