Scott Leney was re-appointed as ANZIIF President, with Brendan Dunne continuing as Deputy President.

The AGM also confirmed the appointment of Blazenka Skender, Head of People & HR Business Support, APAC at Everest, to the ANZIIF Board.

Leney thanked outgoing past President Ben Bessell for his leadership and contribution to the organisation since joining the Board in 2019.

“Ben has made a significant contribution to ANZIIF during a period of important transition and strategic development for the organisation,” Leney said.

“His leadership, professionalism and commitment to the industry have helped position ANZIIF strongly for the future.”

Leney said the organisation remained committed to supporting professionalism and capability uplift across the insurance and risk sector.

“Our priority is ensuring ANZIIF continues to provide trusted guidance, robust learning pathways and ethical leadership as the sector navigates rapid technological change,” he said.

“We remain committed to growing our impact, deepening our partnerships and ensuring ANZIIF continues to set the benchmark for skills elevation and professional recognition.”

The AGM also recognised the contribution of departed Board members Kimberley Jonsson, Diego Ascani, Tim Tez and Catherine Dixon, and acknowledged Claire Young following her appointment as the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer.

ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks congratulated the organisation’s 2025 graduates during the graduation ceremony following the AGM.

“In a fast-changing and more complex world; shaped by climate risk, rising customer expectations, emerging technologies and global uncertainty, we need more than qualified professionals,” Shanks said.

“We need true insurance professionals, people who bring together technical expertise, empathy, curiosity and a strong sense of responsibility.”

The AGM also highlighted ANZIIF’s continued investment in education, member experience and industry engagement, alongside a strong financial position and an ongoing strategy refresh examining the future of professionalism in insurance.

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Ben has held the position of Deputy President since 20 May 2021 and accepted the Presidency when Tim Plant stepped down at the end of his two-year term. “It is a privilege to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that has a critical role to play across the Asia Pacific Region. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to ensure strategic objectives are achieved and to contribute toward the ongoing professionalism of the industry”, commented Bessell.

Prue Willsford, ANZIIF CEO paid tribute to Tim Plant, “Tim has been a gracious and insightful strategic leader on our board for two years now and has seen ANZIIF through significant transition periods. The support and expertise that Tim has brought to the board has been outstanding.”

During the year, ANZIIF also welcomed Hilary Bates, Chief Operating Officer of Zurich, to the ANZIIF board.

‘We are pleased to welcome Hilary to the ANZIIF Board,’ said Willsford.  ‘She brings with her a wealth of experience and will add significant value to ANZIIF and the insurance industry,’ added Willsford.

ANZIIF Past President Megan Beer retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

“We have been very fortunate to have had Megan on the ANZIIF Board since 2015. ANZIIF and the entire team have greatly benefited from Megan’s advice, knowledge, and over 25 years of industry experience.”

2023 ANZIIF Board

• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF
• Ben Bessell, (President), EGM Business Distribution, Austbrokers (AUB)
• Tim Plant (Immediate Past President), Chief Insurance and Strategy Officer, IAG
• Diego Ascani, Chief Executive Officer, Sedgwick Australia
• Hilary Bates, Chief Operating Officer, Life & Investments, Zurich
• Catherine Dixon, Executive General Manager, People Experience, Suncorp Group New Zealand
• Simone Dossetor, Chief Operating Officer, Insurtech Australia
• Brendan Dunne, Chief Customer and Operations Officer, Allianz Australia
• Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, QBE
• Kimberley Jonsson, Chief Executive Officer, CHU Underwriting Agencies
• Scott Leney (Deputy President), Head of Risk Management, Asia & Pacific and Country Corporate Officer, Australia, Marsh & McLennan Companies
• John Lyon, Chief Executive Officer, Ando Insurance

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and Immediate Past President Tim Plant also recognised several award winners and members for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

Timothy Considine was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his long-term contribution and service to, and proactive influence within the insurance industry.

Tim has been a member of ANZIIF since 2006 and when the Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board was established in 2012 was asked to join and then went onto become Chair. Tim’s contribution as Chair of the Broking Faculty helped to solidify the establishment of the Faculty and promoted ANZIIF’s membership and education programs within the broking fraternity. It was also his desire to increase professionalism in the industry that drove his commitment to ANZIIF and assisted us to create our Membership Proposition.

In 2017 Tim was invited to join the ANZIIF Board as Chair of Chairs and during his tenure, his contribution on the Board was integral to the strategic direction of ANZIIF in maintaining relevance to the industry and our members.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Tony Smith. Tony has been a member of ANZIIF since joining in 1982 and was invited to join the Reinsurance Faculty Advisory Board when it was established in 2012. His contribution over the years to ANZIIF has been essential to our success particularly as a Member of the Reinsurance Rendezvous Committee where he held the role of Chair.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow, Michael Cooke. Michael joined ANZIIF’s Claims Faculty Advisory Board in 2012 before retiring in 2022. During this time, he gave significant service to ANZIIF in a number of initiatives, particularly with the implementation of ANZIIF’s Skills Units. Michael was President of AICLA during part of this period, which allowed him to play an important role in the collaboration of the two organisations.

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Kimberley Jonsson is the Chief Executive Officer for CHU Underwriting Agencies, and a Fellow of ANZIIF. With 17 years’ experience across multiple regions, Kimberley is one of Australia’s leading specialists in Body Corporate insurance. In 2017, Kimberley was named ANZIIF’s Young Insurance Professional of the Year at the Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

‘I have always been proud of my association with ANZIIF as our industry’s peak membership and educational body,’ says Jonsson. At a time when all organizations face not only operational but also regulatory challenges, ANZIIFs commitment to promoting and enhancing the professionalism of the insurance industry is extremely important. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to ANZIIF.’

Brendan Dunne is the Chief Customer and Operations Officer at Allianz Australia, leading a team of over 2,500 people across General Insurance, IT and Security, Business and Technology Transformation, Procurement, Property and Facilities. He is passionate about delivering quality service to customers and community in moments that matter.

‘Our role in the insurance industry is to provide our customers with peace of mind so they can get on with living their lives,’ Dunne says. ‘I am excited to join the ANZIIF Board of Directors, an organisation which is committed to inspiring and educating a new generation of insurance leaders and continuing to uplift the standards for customer centricity and excellence across the industry.’

‘The ANZIIF Board strives to represent that diversity of our industry and we are delighted to have leaders of the calibre of Brendan and Kimberley to join our Board, ensuring that ANZIIF remains industry engaged and relevant to the changing needs of our broader insurance community, added Prue Willsford, CEO of ANZIIF.

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Held at The Star in Sydney and hosted by Australian comedian Peter Rowsthorn, the awards recognise the great achievements of insurance companies and insurance professionals.

The broking and general insurance categories saw some familiar faces take home awards, including Austbrokers Coast to Coast, who won Small Broking Company of the Year; Aon, for Large Insurance Company of the Year; RAA Insurance, for Small-Medium General Insurance Company of the Year; NRMA Insurance, for Direct General Insurance Company of the Year; and Allianz Australia, who won Large General Insurance Company of the Year.

‘With a breadth of the industry represented amongst this year’s winners, it is very pleasing to see that this industry and its people are increasingly focused on the betterment of our industry, our staff and our community through various projects, programs and innovations. While not everyone can be a winner, it’s been great to see this focus evident throughout many submissions for this year’s awards,’ says ANZIIF CEO, Prue Willsford.

Other winners from the night included GSA Insurance Brokers; who took home Medium Broking Company of the Year; CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd, for Underwriting Agency of the Year; AIA Australia, for Life Insurance Company of the Year; Suncorp’s Cyclone Resilience Benefit, for Innovation of the Year; Barry.Nilsson., for Professional Services Firm of the Year; TAL, for Women’s Employer of the Year; and Allianz Australia’s One Service, which won Insurance Learning Program of the Year.

‘The winners of this year’s awards really speak for the glory of the industry. Insurance still has so much to offer society, and the winners of tonight’s wards must make this pitch and push the standards higher,’ says Asia Insurance Review Editor-in-Chief, Sivam Subramanian.

Among the awards for individual excellence, Kimberley Jonsson of CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd was announced Young Insurance Professional of the Year, Vivek Bhatia of icare was announced Insurance Leader of the Year and John Lamble, who has been credited with redefining the insurance landscape, was recognised with the ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winners for each category are listed below:

• Service Provider to the Industry of the Year: Gallagher Bassett
• Professional Services Firm of the Year: Barry.Nilsson.
• Women’s Employer of the Year, sponsored by Suncorp: TAL
• Insurance Learning Program of the Year, sponsored by Suncorp: Allianz Australia, One Service
• Innovation of the Year, sponsored by IAG Australia: Suncorp, Cyclone Resilience Benefit
• Small Broking Company of the Year, sponsored by QBE: Austbrokers Coast to Coast
• Medium Broking Company of the Year, sponsored by QBE: GSA Insurance Brokers
• Large Broking Company of the Year, sponsored by QBE: Aon
• Life Insurance Company of the Year: AIA Australia
• Underwriting Agency of the Year, sponsored by UAC: CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
• Direct General Insurance Company of the Year: NRMA Insurance
• Small-Medium General Insurance Company of the Year, sponsored by JB HI-FI Solutions: RAA Insurance
• Large General Insurance Company of the Year, sponsored by Aon: Allianz Australia
• Young Insurance Professional of the Year, sponsored by Guidewire Software: Kimberley Jonsson, CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
• Insurance Leader of the Year, sponsored by DXC Technology: Vivek Bhatia, icare
• ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award: John Lamble

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Now in their fourteenth year, the Awards recognise excellence and achievement by the top performing individuals and businesses in the industry.

The Australian Insurance Industry Awards provide us the opportunity to celebrate our industry achievements, sense of community and commitment to excellence. With 106 submissions received this year, these awards recognise the outstanding performers and high achievers in the industry and the positive impact our industry has on the community,’ says Prue Willsford, CEO, ANZIIF

‘With many entries showing a high level of excellence, originality and passion in what they do, these Awards continue to highlight how far ahead of the curve the Australian insurance industry is globally. The Awards, in continuing to recognise the contribution of insurance to the community, indeed has an overall positive impact,’ says Sivam Subramaniam. Editor-in-Chief, Asia Insurance Review.

The finalists for each category are:

Small broking company of the year

• Austbrokers Coast to Coast
• Remingtons Insurance Brokers
• Simplex Insurance Solutions

Medium broking company of the year

• Adroit Insurance Group
• GSA Insurance Brokers

Large broking company of the year

• Aon
• Insurance Advisernet
• Marsh

Underwriting agency of the year

• CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
• NTI
• PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd
• Primacy

Small- medium general insurance company of the year

• RAA Insurance
• RACT Insurance

Large general insurance company of the year

• Allianz Australia Limited
• CGU Insurance
• QBE Australia
• Suncorp

Life insurance company of the year

• AIA Australia
• BT Financial Group
• MetLife
• TAL

 Innovation of the year

• ANZ Wealth(Grow for Advice)
• CelsiusPro (Wet Harvest Weather Certificate)
• CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd (CHUiSAVER)
• PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (VetHub)
• Suncorp (Cyclone Resilience Benefit)
• Suncorp (Trōv Protection)

Professional services firm of the year

• Barry.Nilsson.
• Finity
• MinterEllison
• TurksLegal
• Wotton+Kearney

Service provider to the insurance industry of the year

• Gallagher Bassett
• Gratex International
• IPAR Rehabilitation
• JB Hi-Fi
• Phenix Jewellery Pty Ltd
• recoveriescorp

Women’s employer of the year

• AIA Australia
• iag
• TAL
• The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd

Insurance learning program of the year 

• Allianz Australia Limited (Career Pathways)
• Allianz Australia Limited (One Service)
• Elders Insurance
• QBE Australia

Young insurance professional of the year

• Gemma Gould (MGA Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd)
• Hugh Miller (Taylor Fry)
• Jennifer Jackson (CommInsure)
• Kimberley Jonsson (CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd)
• Melody Caffin (Raytheon Air Pty Ltd)
• Sheree Siow (AIA Australia)

The Awards will be held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on Thursday 31 August 2017.

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