Suncorp and Marsh have taken top gongs at this year’s Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

More than 750 professionals attended The Star in Sydney last night to see the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) crown Suncorp Large General Insurance Company of the Year and Marsh again named Large Broking Company of the Year.

CEO of Insurance Product and Portfolio Lisa Harrison tells insuranceNEWS.com.au the Suncorp team was thrilled.

“The recognition from ANZIIF is a testament to how everyone at Suncorp has worked together to successfully deliver our bold and customer-focused transformation,” Ms Harrison said.

“After a challenging year for our customers and the industry it was great to come together in Sydney last night to reconnect with colleagues and celebrate professionalism across our industry.”

Now in their 18th year, the awards celebrate pursuit of excellence, exceptional dedication and the accomplishments of businesses and individuals across the Australian insurance industry.

'We were so delighted to see a full house here to celebrate the year that was – in person!' said ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford. “Every finalist embodied the true meaning of professionalism and has contributed to building trust and confidence in our community. For that, you all deserve to be celebrated.”

The ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jacki Johnson, who was an executive at IAG for two decades.

“Thank you to ANZIIF for a great industry awards evening. I am still feeling very overwhelmed by the recognition,” Ms Johnson said. “What a wonderful night catching up with trusted colleagues. My success has certainly been the result of working with so many great people and learning from others.”

Hollard won Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion for a second straight year.

“Thank you to our incredible diversity and inclusion community throughout Hollard for their commitment towards our mandate to advance equity,” Chief People and Legal Officer Jenny O’Neill said. “When our new incoming CommInsure colleagues join us in the near future, we're looking forward to continuing to go further with this important work, together.”

CEO Paul Fahey says Hollard’s D&I working groups have “continued to push the envelope with this important work”.

QBE won the new Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Change Award.

Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Viv Bower says it is “an incredible affirmation for our teams, who have worked so hard to contribute to and care for our communities and our planet”.

"There is more work to do, but this recognition by one of the industry’s peak bodies is a wonderful testament to what we’ve achieved to date.”

Insurance Advisernet won Authorised Representative Network of the Year for the fifth year running.

“We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our practices, advisers and the wider IA team,” a LinkedIn post said.

Finity Climate & ESG Risk Actuary Sharanjit Paddam won Insurance Leader of the Year. Mr Paddam said he was extremely honoured.

"Deepest thanks to all those who have supported me on the journey,” he said. “Many congratulations to my fellow finalists and winners”.

Brisbane-based Clear Insurance won Small Broking Company.

“I’m so proud of my team and what we have achieved during the past 12 months in our move to a 100% fee for service, transparent remuneration model. Thank you ANZIIF for the recognition. Thank you to our clients and insurer partners,” MD Lisa Carter said.

Scott Winton Insurance Brokers won Medium Broking Company.

“I’m so proud and emotional,” Compliance & Office Manager Maria Tepelidis said. "A great achievement by all of us and testament to the company that we are.”

ProRisk Claims Team Leader Bianca Parussolo won Young Insurance Professional of the Year.

“We are immensely proud of our amazing colleague. You are a champion,” ProRisk said.

Strata insurance specialist CHU was named top underwriting agency after wins for the same award in 2021, 2018 and 2017.

“This is such a wonderful recognition and a testament to the hard work and passion that each and every team member puts in, each day at CHU,” it said.

Mitti Insurance was named Insurtech start-up of the Year.

“When we set out to disrupt the insurance industry we could not have imagined the response. We would like to thank everyone that has joined us on our journey to make Mitti what it is today,” it said.

Here is the full list of 2022 ANZIIF Industry Award winners:

Small Broking Company of the Year - Clear Insurance

Medium Broking Company of the Year - Scott Winton Insurance Brokers

Large Broking Company of the Year - Marsh

Authorised Representative Network of the Year - Insurance Advisernet

Underwriting Agency of the Year - CHU

Small-Medium General Insurance Company - Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT)

Large General Insurance Company of the Year - Suncorp Group

General Insurance Claims Team of the Year - CGU Strategic Broker Claims Teams

Life Insurance Company of the Year - AIA Australia

Insurtech Start-up of the Year - Mitti

Professional Services Firm of the Year - MinterEllison

Service Provider to the Insurance Industry - IVAA

Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion - Hollard

Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance Change - QBE

Young Insurance Professional of the Year - ProRisk Claims Team Leader Bianca Parussolo

Insurance Leader of the Year - Finity Climate & ESG Risk Actuary Sharanjit Paddam

ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award - Jacki Johnson