MLC Chief Underwriter Fiona Guscott won the Financial Services Council’s (FSC) industry pioneer award at the Annual Life Insurance Awards last week.

The award citation says Ms Guscott is widely known as an innovative thinker and change agent.

The leadership award went to ANZ Group MD Australia Wealth Alexis George.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and is considered an excellent leader by her peers, her citation says.

BT Financial Group Claims Consultant Rhiannon Wilson won the young achiever award.

She only recently joined the life industry, but by developing a host of new initiatives she has already made a huge impact within her organisation, according to the FSC citation.

The consumer innovation award was shared by AIA and Sunsuper for their eClaims project and BT for its advanced terminal illness cover.

AIA and Sunsuper also won the “big thinking” award for research into the behaviour of claimants who have been paid total and permanent disability benefits.

The social media award went to ANZ for its gender equality campaign, which generated more than 20 million impressions.