Avi Tatarka of Scott Winton Insurance Brokers in Melbourne has won the National Insurance Brokers Association’s (NIBA) top honour for the southern region.

Mr Tatarka was named Broker of the Year for Victoria and Tasmania. He will now contest the national Stephen Ball Memorial Award, which will be announced at the NIBA Convention at the Gold Coast on October 14.

Nick Daffy, who was recently made team leader at PNO Insurance, claimed NIBA’s Young Professional Broker of the Year Award for the region. This award, sponsored by Vero, recognises rising stars in the broking industry under 35.

Mr Daffy, also based in Melbourne, spent almost a decade with Gallagher before joining PNO Insurance in September. He is now in the running to win the national Warren Tickle Memorial Award.

The winners were revealed today at the NIBA gala awards lunch at Crown Aviary, Melbourne.

The Broker of the Year Award, sponsored by QBE, goes to an individual broker deemed an inspirational role model for the broking community, who has demonstrated excellence in broking practice and client advocacy.

Mr Tatarka took over as CEO at Scott Winton last year after his father Ron, who established the business in 1992, suddenly passed away.

Click here to see the Victoria/Tasmania young broker finalists, and here for the broker of the year finalists.