Excellence in Professional Development
This category is designed to recognise investment in training, talent retention and employee development and is open to any firm/organisation working in the UK insurance market.
Judges were looking for tangible and measurable benefits for employees, business partners, and/or customers.
All the finalists are listed below. Use the links to find out more from the entrants who have answered our series of Q&As.
GOLD: Club Insure Ltd & NDML
SILVER: Aviva
BRONZE: Bionic Financial Services, previously Make It Cheaper Financial Services (MIC)
Be Wiser Insurance
Commercial Express
Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers
Towergate Insurance Brokers
SILVER: Aviva
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
Succession in the broking industry is a real problem, with more than 65% of the owners of independent brokerages being 55 and over. We're developing the broker leaders of the future, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to run a successful business. We're ensuring the broking industry has a future and that there will continue to be independent brokers, providing great service to customers. From our first cohort we're delighted that three have been appointed MDs of their businesses. Plus, we are supporting the management buyout plans of a further six and two candidates have been appointed to the board.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
"This course just keeps getting better. The facilitators, mentors and delegates all get on so well in an environment geared towards professional development. I look forward to a brighter, stronger future." Andy Payne.
"I read 40 leadership books a year, have been on countless leadership courses, overseas residential events and network programmes. They all have a beginning and an end. The Future Leader Programme will last me a life-time." Laurence O'Connor.
"This course, without a shadow of a doubt, is the best thing in the industry. I know of nothing else that does what this course is doing." Ben Cue.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
We're delivering fantastic content, designed by industry experts, that is specifically focussed on how to run a successful business, as well as about being a great leader. It's also about the longevity of support. Our programme is two years long for a reason. It gives the delegates a chance to build a network of relationships, with like-minded people, with whom they can learn, grow and share their experiences. Our mentors also agree to continue their support way beyond the end of the programme to ensure it has an impact on the lifetime in business, not just the short term.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
Our first graduation event is only a few days after the awards ceremony, so we'll make sure we "go big" with our celebration with our future leaders. After all, this programme is about our delegates, so why would we not celebrate with them? That said, I'm sure on the night of the ceremony, if we win, the party won't stop until we all drop.
Be Wiser Insurance
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
Be Wiser was the first Insurance broker to develop and launch a BA (Hons) degree in insurance in 2016. We are in our third successive year of recruitment and currently have 35 undergraduates studying for their degree.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
"The degree programme offers students an attractive way to study without the burden of a huge student debt. Balancing the requirements of a job and part-time degree studies can be challenging, however, this prepares them for the future demands of their high-level careers." Lecturer, Karl Haliwell.
"After my A-levels I still had no plans for a career, but after work experience at Lloyd's of London, I decided insurance was the career for me. I've gained three year's work experience, a salary, weekly day release at university - all great benefits". Will Dayus, 3rd year undergraduate.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
At Be Wiser 76% of advised staff have a Cert CII qualification. Be Wiser was the first insurance broker to develop and launch a BA (Hons) degree in Insurance in 2016. We have maintained CII Accredited status for our technical induction training since 2013. We are the only insurance broker out of 259 Ofsted Employer Providers to hold a 'Good Provider' rating.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
We will be holding our freshers party early December, so all of the apprentices, graduate, trainers and directors will be together to celebrate. This will make it even more special!
GOLD: Club Insure Ltd & NDML
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
That our wellbeing culture and strategy, which sits alongside and supports our professional development of staff, is working. For us it's not a tick-box exercise. Our strategy and programme is leading the way in our industry. New starters comment on how good our wellbeing offering is and our existing staff stay with us (staff retention has increased by 75% over the same period).
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
"Inception Group have used NDML as our insurance broker for a number of years. As a specialist broker they have in depth knowledge of our business insurance requirements and provide the us with a comprehensive insurance package for our business. The level of service the account executive and his team provides is first class, in addition I was very impressed with the claims department at NDML who helped bring a recent claim to satisfactory conclusion. With all the above in mind I have no hesitation in recommending NDML services to anyone within our industry."
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
For our customers, we pride ourselves on our personal service provided by experienced, knowledgeable staff. For our staff, we pride ourselves on promoting good health and wellbeing at a personal and company level. Our 2019 wellbeing programme sees staff have access to annual health checks, running clubs, walking clubs, book clubs, Pilates and mindfulness sessions. In addition to the wellbeing culture we promote professional development at all levels through the business. We believe that we are the only late-night leisure insurance broker doing this.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
We have some our team with us at the awards so we will celebrate with them on the night and ensure all staff are included when we are back in Leeds.
Commercial Express
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
Our entry highlighted the successful launch of our elearning platform CE Learning: Online, which provides our staff and brokers with access to over 500 training courses, covering insurance technical, compliance, product awareness, business and soft skills. The system is packed with exclusive content and engaging and well-designed courses, which helps users to meet their FCA and CII requirements. With approximately 700 users, CE Learning: Online is a modern and engaging learning solution, providing insurance professionals with access to a comprehensive range of courses to support their development.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
Four in 10 users use the system for over an hour every month, showing we are not just there to meet audit requirements. And seven out of the top 15 courses were exclusively designed and built by Commercial Express with an average feedback score of 12 out of 15 – or in layman's terms, rated as very interesting, very useful and very likely to apply to the learner's day-to-day role. Our brokers report that CE Learning: Online has become an 'integral part of the training and support we offer to all of our staff'.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
In our mission to become the 'value added MGA', Commercial Express seeks to improve relationships with our customers, drive up standards and offer more besides our range of insurance products. We're adding value to the broker/MGA relationship in a way that benefits everyone involved, right through to the end customer. No other MGA offers this level of support to their brokers and, in this regard, CE Learning: Online is an industry first. Our commitment to bridging the skills gap for not only our own staff, but that of our partners, sets us apart from the rest of the MGA market.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
Simply being a finalist for this award is a massive achievement and recognition of the success we have already achieved with our elearning platform. To win would be a massive vote of confidence in CE Learning: Online and we would celebrate by investing more time and energy into the system to improve what is already a market leading proposition.
BRONZE: Bionic Financial Services, previously Make It Cheaper Financial Services (MIC)
What key achievement did your entry highlight?
Introduce new starters into the insurance industry through a staggered sustained product programme - diversity in that we do not look at prior qualifications as acceptance to the programme but tenacity to do a good job for the customer. New starters move to commercial brokers in 12 multiple lines of business with a CII qualification in 18 months.
Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?
"Through demonstrable training plans we have managed to re-engage and work on new partnership opportunity through the advancement and successful implementation of the technical development of MIC's staff." An insurance partner.
"Without Make it Cheaper's encouragement and support I couldn't have taken my career to new heights by achieving my CII qualification, arranged insurance for hundreds of customers or developed strong relationships with the UK's top insurers." MIC staff member.
What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?
Diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to provide employees with a leading academy training scheme that is inclusive, interactive, sustainable and critically a fun experience for what stereotypically is seen as a dry complex subject.
How will you celebrate if you are the victor?
MIC style means it will be inclusive and fun. We would plan on running an internal awards ceremony similar to the Insurance Times event with awards and merchandise for our team members to feel part of the experience. They are the reason we do what we do.