Revealed: Who won at the Insurance Times Awards 2023?

On 6 December 2023, commemorating its 25th anniversary, Insurance Times concluded the year with a return to London’s Grosvenor House Hotel for its premier and festive ceremony—the Insurance Times Awards.

Held in the Park Lane hotel’s glamorous Great Room, over 1,000 insurance professionals gathered to discover which firms and personalities would be taking home gold, silver, or bronze prizes across 36 award categories.

At the forefront of the awards ceremony, comedian Alex Horne and his band The Horne Section took centre stage, providing both laughs and serving out accolades to the sector.

Known to some attendees for his triumph on the TV series Taskmaster, where he now serves as the assistant to Taskmaster Greg Davies, Horne infused the evening with his humour and musical talents.

However, it was Insurance Times  editor Katie Scott who opened the award proceedings.

In her opening remarks, Scott highlighted that the night aimed to “recognise the hard work and creativity of individuals and organisations that have really gone the extra mile for their customers and partners.”

She noted that the insurance sector had ecountered various challenges in 2023, from the persistent presence of high inflation and the escalating cost of living to the whirlwind of regulatory changes sweeping through the industry.

Scott continued: “That’s why events like the Insurance Times Awards are so important, as celebrating our successes and achievements lays the groundwork for further innovation and creativity in our sector.”

One of the most prestigious awards of the night – TheInsurance Times Industry Achiever Award, sponsored by Close Brothers Premium Finance (CBPF) – was presented to Aviva’s chief executive officer Amanda Blanc.

The award aimed to acknowledge an inspirational individual in the market who had continued to push boundaries.

The panel that selected Blanc for the award noted that she had “continued to steer Aviva to success over the past year,” while she had also “spoken out admirably on issues such as environmental transformation, work-life balance and the continued problem of sexism within the industry, to great effect”.

In another notable recognition for the evening, Ken Norgrove of RSA clinched the title of Insurer CEO of the Year, with the award sponsored by Shift Technology.

The judges highlighted his role in “steering RSA through a difficult year for the insurance sector and making significant decisions for the benefit of both customers and the business”.

Simultaneously, the accolade for Broker CEO of the Year, sponsored by Applied Systems, was bestowed upon Clear Group chief executive officer Mike Edgeley.

He’s only gone and done it! Our Group CEO, Mike Edgeley, won Broker CEO of the Year at the @InsuranceTimes_ Awards last night. This award is a well-deserved representation of Mike’s influential leadership. We’re incredibly proud of you, Mike!#ITawards#BrokerCEOoftheYearpic.twitter.com/DrbUEicGK8

— The Clear Group (@TheClearGroup) December 7, 2023

The judges described Edgeley as a “well-liked insurance industry veteran that his colleagues in the broker sector brand ‘a great guy with an even better work ethic’”.

Winning streak

Throughout the evening, Aviva clinched the gold in four categories – General Insurer of the Year, Excellence in Underwriting, Excellence in Fraud Mitigation – Insurer and Excellence in Risk Management, sponsored by Strategic Risk.

Aviva also clinched a fifth gold award for its joint entry to the Challenger of the Year – Supplier award, alongside DWF Law.

Following closely behind Aviva were DAC Beachcroft, which claimed the silver for Business Partner of the Year, while Movo Partnership secured the bronze position.

Meanwhile, Fluffy clinched the silver and GT Motive secured the bronze in the Challenger of the Year – Supplier category.

Sponsored by Sedgwick, Strategic Risk and Insurance DataLab, these awards marked a significant recognition of excellence in the insurance industry.

Clegg Gifford and Co achieved a hattrick by securing gold wins in three categories. The MGA Initiative of the Year saw Clegg Gifford and Co win gold. Jensten Underwriting clinched the silver in this category, while NBS Underwriting secured the bronze.

Clegg Gifford and Co also won the Excellence in Professional Development award and earnt the title of Commercial Lines Broker of the Year, sponsored by Arch Insurance.

Clegg Gifford & Co also secured the silver, and Marsh claimed the bronze, in the Schemes Broker of the Year category.

Covéa Insurance achieved a double victory by winning gold in two categories. The firm were named Customer Champion of the Year – Insurer, sponsored by ICEYE. NFU Mutual secured the silver in this category.

Who said insurance was dull?! What a fabulous night, it was great to see the industry out in force celebrating after a challenging year for everyone. A massive well done to all the winners and those who were nominated.#celebrate#WeAreCovea#ITAwards#InsuranceTimespic.twitter.com/eXS9vWHHsm

— Covéa Insurance plc (@CoveaInsplc) December 6, 2023

Covéa Insurance also claimed the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award – Insurer, sponsored by Ican.

The judges noted that they were “impressed with [Covéa’s] overwhelming passion that related to all aspects of diversity and inclusion, as well as the compelling statistical evidence and bold initiatives to address gender balance.”

Broker Insights also clinched two prestigious awards, earning gold for Excellence in Technology, sponsored by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and also secured the title of Business Partner of the Year.

Adding to the gold winning streak, LexisNexis Risk Solutions secured two awards. The firm received gold for Excellence in Fraud Mitigation – Supplier and also claimed the title of Challenger of the Year – Insurtech.

All things tech, excellence and innovation

In the realm of excellence in technology, Lloyd’s and Vitesse secured the top position for Excellence in Technology Claims in the Insurer category, sponsored by Evolution. The judges described the firm’s “ground-breaking new funding and payment solution” as a “real game-changer” that “benefits the wider industry as well as the customer”.

Clearspeed achieved gold for Excellence in Technology Claims – Technology Supplier category, while Hiscox UK excelled in eTrading, sponsored by Premium Credit.

McKenzie Intelligence Services distinguished themselves for Excellence in Technology as a Service Provider, with BGL standing out in the Excellence in Technology – Distribution category.

Additionally, Ignite claimed the gold for Excellence in AI, while Uinsure achieved a remarkable feat by striking gold in the Insurer Innovation of the Year category, sponsored by Samsara.

Meanwhile, Aviva secured the Silver, while Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe (And-E) and Mind Foundry secured the bronze in the Insurer Innovation of the Year category.

Broker and insurers

Each claiming the coveted gold, several notable winners emerged in different categories.

Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers won the Independent Broker of the Year award, sponsored by Aviva.

Meanwhile, Romero Insurance Brokers earned the silver and Clarke Williams secured the bronze in the Broker of the Year category.

Partners& excelled in the realm of schemes, earning the title of Schemes Broker of the Year, sponsored by Hiscox.

GoShorty demonstrated excellence in the Personal Lines category, securing the gold for Personal Lines Broker of the Year, sponsored by Ageas.

Ageas achieved the top spot as the Personal Lines Insurer of the Year, sponsored by Carpenters Group, while Arch Insurance distinguished itself as the Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year.

Meanwhile, AllClear clinched the gold for Customer Champion of the Year in the Broker category, sponsored by RSA, while Winn Group also achieved the gold award as Claims Partner of the Year.

InsureandGo followed AllClear closely behind and secured silver for Customer Champion of the Year in the Broker category.

Lead recognition

Ieuan Poole, an associate at DAC Beachcroft, was honoured with The Insurance Times Young Achiever Award, sponsored by Markel.

The judges commented: “Ieuan Poole is responsible for the technical development of over 140 colleagues in DAC Beachcroft’s vehicle hire and damage team and has progressed to his position having begun his insurance career at the age of 18.

Judges said: “Following successes in the Court of Appeal, he was promoted to associate and is now strategic lead for the vehicle hire and damage team with an excellent reputation for handling complicated claims in a contentious area.”

Atlanta Group clinched the gold for the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award, with the judges highlighting that the firms initiative addressed various facets of diversity, including ethnic minorities, gender, menopause and LGBTQ through its diverse range of programs and cafes.”

National Windscreens achieved gold for Sustainability Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Global Reinsurance.

The judges noted that the firm “has clearly made deep changes to its business in the pursuing of environmental sustainability”.

Axa, in partnership with the Evening Standard, emerged victorious with a gold win for Marketing Campaign of the Year in the B2C category, while Keoghs struck gold for Marketing Campaign of the Year in the B2B category.

The Insurance Times award night concluded amid the joyful spirit of Christmas and raucous excitement for the upcoming year.