Annual MyIBA Awards 2016
Awards
Ronan O’Neill, Head of Broker Marketing and Kristen Foran, National Sales Director, Zurich who were the headline sponsors of this years’s event.
The Annual MyIBA Awards event took place in the Round Room, The Mansion House on Thursday 20th October in conjunction with the IBA Annual Lunch. The MyIBA Committee would like to acknowledge the support of the aforementioned insurers (AXA, Friends First, Irish Life, Open GI, Zurich, The Insurance Institute, LIA, AVIVA, Wrightway & RSA). The Committee would also like to thank all broker firms that took time out to send in nomination forms to ensure the success of this event and thank the Award’s judging panel which consisted of Dermot Murray, CEO of The Insurance Institute and Pat O’Sullivan, CEO of the LIA. We would like to congratulate all 2016 shortlisted nominees and in particular the overall Award winners.
Friends First Sales Person of the Year Award
JP Hughes Friends First and Aidan O’Neill Clear Financial,
Sales Person of the Year.
The winner of this award has over 16 years experience in the industry that has specialised skills that allow them to excel in their role. Skilled at foreseeing clients’ future needs, ability to explain complicated concepts & policies in layman terms and ability to empathise with people contributes to this person’s success. Words used to describe the winner include Persistent, Professional, Ethical, Conscientious and a great listener. The winner is Aidan O’Neill, Clear Financial.
Irish Life Customer Service Award
Niamh Breheny ITC, Irish Life Customer Service Award winner and Michael Nolan, Irish Life.
The nomination form for the winner of this year’s Customer Service award was filled with glowing testimonials from clients, staff and management. It is evident that she is a valuable member of staff. One particular quote from a client summed up this winner… “What I and my team always want when dealing with any organisation is friendly interaction, can do attitude and comfort that the person managing their clients is interested and will take responsibility for solving issues. According to this source the winner “has all of these attributes in abundance.” The winner can now add this award to their previous two exceptional Service Awards that they have won in the past. The winner of the 2016 Irish Life Customer Service Award is Niamh Breheny, ITC Group.
Wrightway Underwriting Team Leader of the Year Award
Kieran Sammon IPSFA, Wrightway Underwriting Team Leader of the Year Award winner and David Crean, Wrightway Underwriting Ltd.
The winner of this award has worked with their Company for over 4 years and is responsible for the performance of a team of 20. Staff in the office feel comfortable confiding in them and asking for help when needed. This person encourages everyone to exceed their abilities and if that means spending more time explaining something to the staff he will do it without doubt. This person is described as always putting others first, a gifted manager and a balanced professional with a great sense of fun while getting the best out of the team. The winner of the Wrightway Underwriting Team Leader of the Year Award is Kieran Sammon, IPSFA.
AXA Personal Lines Broker of the Year Award
Tracy Keenan, Kidd Insurances, winner of the Personal Lines Broker of the Year Award and Colm McGrattan, AXA.
The winner of this award has worked for their current employer for over 3 years managing a large personal lines book. This person is regarded as having excellent Technical & Professional Product Knowledge, Communication & Organisation skills and a consummate professional in their dealings with clients, insurers and fellow team members. In addition to her professional acumen, the winner is also Captain of the company’s ladies 5 a-side Soccer team. The AXA Personal lines Broker of the Year goes to Tracy Keenan, Kidd Insurances.
RSA Commercial Lines Broker of the Year Award
Claire Dumbrell, Event Insure, Commercial Lines Broker of the Year Award winner and Daniel Parker, RSA.
The nomination for this award winner was accompanied by a large number of letters of support and glowing references none more so than from her employer. The winner has been described as a true professional with extensive knowledge delivering expert advice with over 20 years experience. A truly brilliant broker. The winner of this award has worked in Insurance since finishing school. Bringing a wealth of knowledge to her current employer, it was plain to see that this person is admired and very well respected by all who work with her. A working mum of 3 who has set up a new office in Dublin for her employer and within 12 months achieved all her targets set out for a 20 month plan! The winner of the RSA Commercial Lines Broker of the Year Award is Claire Dumbrell, Event Insure.
The LIA Life Education Achievement Award
Pat O’Sullivan, CEO, LIA and Linda Travers,
Willis Towers Watson, Life Education Award winner.
The recipient of this year’s Educational Achievement Award for the Life Assurance sector completed her QFA during the past 12 months. She achieved the fantastic average marks of 92% across all 6 modules. In recognition of her achievement she was awarded the LIA Patricia Nolan Gold Medal earlier in the year. This award is presented to the individual with the highest average marks across all modules. This is truly a remarkable achievement and it is fitting that she is also recognised today in our awards. I am pleased to announce that the worthy recipient of the MyIBA Life Assurance Education Achievement Award, from Willis Towers Watson, is Linda Travers.
The Insurance Institute General Education Achievement Award
Peter Connolly, AON, General Insurance Education Award winner and Dermot Murray, CEO, The Insurance Institute.
Excellence in Education is all about striving to be the best that you can be. It is never easy to work full time and also study part time and that takes dedication and commitment. Insurance qualifications along with experience ensure that our customers receive the best service possible. The graduate who is receiving the award for outstanding performance in the APA examinations is Peter Connolly. Peter received exceptional marks in each of his APA exams and is maintaining that momentum by continuing on towards the CIP. Peter is a glowing example of an experienced professional who has embraced education. Congratulations Peter Connolly, winner of the General Insurance Educational Achievement Award.
OpenGI Most Supportive General Insurer Award
Robert Fitzsimons, Open GI and John Kavanagh, Corporate Underwriting, Most Supportive General Insurer Award winner.
This award sets out to acknowledge the outstanding work and dedication of an employee of a General Insurance company to the broker sector as noted by their broker peers in the industry. According to our winners peers ‘no query is too big or too small and they always go out of their way to help in any way they can. Their knowledge of insurance is described as extraordinary – the moment you ask this nominee to do something, it is done – ‘there is nothing they wouldn’t do to help you out’. This person provides an excellent service and turnaround time in relation to policy document is second to none. Diligent and hardworking, they deserve recognition for their efforts and the work they do. The winner of the Open GI Most Supportive General Insurer goes to John Kavanagh, Corporate Underwriting.
MyIBA Most Supportive Life Insurer Award
Brian Kearney, Most Supportive Life Insurer Award winner with Aidan McLoughlin, IBA and Emma Reid, MyIBA.
For the last 42 years the winner of this award has spent that time developing his skill sets and contributing to the industry in so many ways, including being President of the Insurance Institute of Cork and Chairman of the LIA Cork Region. As Regional Manager with Irish Life his area covered the South of Ireland. According to his nominator, “down through the years he has been a great support to brokers, primarily because he understood our needs. He set up Broker Business Ideas Clubs across the South Region – allowing brokers to benefit from the collective wisdom of the group, in line with his motto….”two minds are better than one”. He retires next week after 42 years of service, most of it to the Broker Community and I am sure you will give a well-deserved send-off to the winner of the IBA Most Supportive Life Insurer Award – Brian Kearney of Irish Life.
AVIVA Broker Principal of the Year Award
Ciaran Sheridan, Sheridan Insurances, Broker Principal of the Year Award winner with Robert Kennedy, AVIVA.
The staff of this award winner submitted a short video on the reasons why their ‘Boss’ deserved to be named Broker Principal of the year. The opportunities he provides staff, the support and empathy that he affords and the fact that he has staff in his office who have worked for him for the last 25 years is probably the greatest compliment of all. A past President of the IBA, the winner of the AVIVA Broker Principal of the Year Award goes to Ciaran Sheridan, Sheridan Insurances.
Zurich Outstanding Achievement Award
Juhel McLeavey, winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award with Aidan McLoughlin, IBA and Emma Reid, MyIBA.
The recipient of this award started some 51 years ago and never left her original employer so it is suffice to say that is a serious contribution to the brokerage, clients and the Industry. Practically all insurance company staff know her and she saw the majority of these merge together over the years, computerization you name it she has seen it. She had an amazing way with industry members and an even better way with all our valued customers over the years. It was testament to this when she was leaving our office for the last time that she received so many well wishes and gifts from old clients and insurance companies. Recently retired, for her employer and former colleagues she was part of the family and an insurance legend! The winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award goes to Juhel McLeavey, MG Anderson.
