The individuals and organisations setting new benchmarks across the Australian insurance industry were recognised tonight at the 22nd ANZIIF Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

Honouring industry Iicons

The evening’s highest honours recognised three individuals whose leadership and contribution have left a lasting mark on the profession.

• Chris Mackinnon received the ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades of leadership, advocacy and commitment to strengthening the Australian insurance profession.
• Kimberley Jonsson was named Insurance Leader of the Year, recognised for her outstanding leadership, strategic vision and enduring contribution to the industry.
• ANZIIF also posthumously honoured Tim Wedlock with a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his remarkable career, enduring influence and lasting legacy within the insurance profession.

2026 award winners

• Authorised Representative Network of the Year: Community Broker Network
• Claims Team of the Year: CHU Underwriting Agencies
• Small-Medium Broking Company of the Year: Guardian Insurance Brokers 
• Large Broking Company of the Year: Marsh
• Small-Medium General Insurance Company of the Year: Adica Insurance
• Large General Insurance Company of the Year: Allianz
• Small-Medium Underwriting Agency of the Year: Coalition
• Large Underwriting Agency of the Year: CHU Underwriting Agencies
• Insurtech Start-up of the Year: Curium
• Life Insurance Company of the Year: NobleOak
• Professional Services Firm of the Year: SHARPS Australia
• Service Provider to the Insurance Industry: BizCover
• Young Insurance Professional of the Year: Alan Xian, Taylor Fry/University of NSW

ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks said this year’s recipients reflect the depth of talent and commitment across the Australian insurance industry.

“This year’s winners demonstrate the exceptional calibre of people and organisations shaping the future of our profession. Whether supporting customers through increasingly complex risks, developing innovative solutions or investing in the next generation of insurance professionals, each recipient has made a meaningful contribution to strengthening our industry.

“Their achievements set a benchmark for excellence and remind us that insurance is, above all, a profession built on trust, expertise and service. Congratulations to every winner on this well-deserved recognition.”

Now in its 22nd year, the ANZIIF Australian Insurance Industry Awards continue to recognise the individuals and organisations driving progress across the profession. More than a celebration of achievement, the Awards showcase the expertise, leadership and commitment that strengthen public confidence in insurance and inspire the next generation of industry professionals.

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Daniel Smith

The Actuaries Institute (the Institute) today formally announced the appointment of Daniel Smith as 2014 Institute President. He will be joined by former Actuary of the Year Estelle Pearson as Senior Vice President, and Lindsay Smartt as Vice President.

Mr Smith, Ms Pearson and Mr Smartt will work with incoming Institute CEO David Bell to promote the Institute’s key policy priorities for 2014, reinforce the actuarial brand and educate businesses and government around the long-term value actuaries can add across a broad range of challenges.

“Actuarial education and training provides a unique mix of skills which places actuaries in a strong position to become the risk managers of choice for business, governments and society as a whole,” Mr Smith said.

“As well as maintaining a strong representation in traditional areas such as insurance, Actuaries are increasingly shifting into non-traditional areas such as banking, data analytics, media strategy, natural resources and public health. These will be key areas we address in 2014 supported by refreshed education and development programs.”

The Institute’s policy agenda spans the insurance and superannuation sectors but also demographic change / retirement incomes policy, natural disaster management, health and disability, data analytics, banking and risk management

“The Institute’s key policy priorities for 2014 include ensuring the profession’s voice is heard on the critical issues being considered by the Financial Services Inquiry, offering practical solutions to better manage the social and economic impacts of natural disasters and health funding, as well as continuing to help navigate Australia’s longevity debate,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith is a Member of the Institute Council and is a Director of actuarial consulting and analytics firm Taylor Fry.  Mr Smith takes over from former President John Newman.

Ms Pearson, current Councillor of the Actuaries Institute and a Managing Director of actuarial and insurance consultants, Finity, has been appointed Senior Vice President this year. Ms Pearson will be Institute President in 2015.

The Institute also confirmed the appointment of Lindsay Smartt, current Member of the Council of the Actuaries Institute as Vice President.

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