Former IAG CEO Mike Hawker leads a triumvirate of former insurance executives taking out top honours in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2010.

The former Wallabies rugby union centre was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his “service as a leader in the banking and finance industries, and to the community, particularly through the development of corporate mentoring programs in schools”.

His former deputy at IAG, Ian Brown, and former AMP MD, Munich Re chairman and NRMA Insurance director Ian Stanwell, also received awards.

Mr Hawker left IAG in 2008 following investor discontent with the company’s performance. He has since become a director of major British insurer Aviva and Macquarie Bank.

His contribution to the industry goes beyond his work as an executive. In 2004, Mr Hawker established the Australian Business & Community Network, a mentoring program partnering senior executives with school principals and students. The network has grown since 2004 to include 28 companies and more than 157 schools.

Mr Brown received his AM for services to the insurance industry. Besides his time at IAG, where he served briefly as CEO following Mr Hawker’s resignation, Mr Brown is a former president of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.

Mr Stanwell’s AM was awarded for services to the insurance industry in addition to his work with the aged, youth and ex-services.