Hollard Insurance took out two top gongs at the Australian Insurance Industry Awards as almost 800 industry professionals gathered for the annual event last night.

Hollard was crowned large general insurance company of the year while CEO Richard Enthoven, who is also President and Chairman of the Insurance Council of Australia, took out the insurance leader of the year honour.

The awards, hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, were held at The Star Event Centre in Pyrmont, marking the 16th year of the event.

“We’re delighted and a little overwhelmed,” Mr Enthoven told insuranceNEWS.com.au today. “It is a huge honour and a recognition of 20 years of work of which I am really proud.”

In an acceptance speech for his individual award, Mr Enthoven thanked the ICA Board for the opportunity to lead for the past two years.

“It has been an enormous privilege to advocate for the industry I believe in so passionately during this tumultuous period. And, while the royal commission was a timely reminder that we can all do better, let’s not forget all the good we do every single day,” he told attendees.

Lawcover was named direct general insurance company of the year, while Hobart-based RACT Insurance won best small/medium general insurance company for the second year in a row.

Large broking company of the year was Marsh for the second year running, while Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers received the small/medium broker award.

Excellence in workplace diversity and inclusion went to CHU Underwriting Agencies, while underwriting agency of the year was awarded to Club Marine Insurance.

“Diversity has always been part of CHU’s DNA and contributed to our success. However, in recent years we made the decision to focus on it as a strategic imperative. We believe it’s absolutely critical to our strategic success over the next five to 10 years,” CHU Chief Customer Officer Anne-Maree Paull said.

CHU’s leadership team has a 50/50 gender split.

Authorised representative group of the year was Insurance Advisernet Australia and the authorised representative business of the year award went to CPR Insurance Services.

Jillian Pancott from Sedgwick claimed the young insurance professional of the year honour.

Other category winners were:

• Service provider to insurance: Independent Validation Advisory Australia (IVAA)

• Professional services firm: Barry.Nilsson

• Insurance learning program: Sedgwick’s Hub Triple C

• Insurtech program: Canceraid

• Life insurance company: MetLife Australia