Nominations have opened for this year’s National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) broker of the year and young broker of the year awards.

Regional winners will be selected from NSW/ACT, Queensland, SA/NT, Victoria/Tasmania and WA, with the victors in both categories then contending for national honours.

The broker of the year award, which honours the late Stephen Ball, will be sponsored this year by CGU, IAG’s intermediated business.

“With NIBA playing such an integral role in advancing the skills and expertise of brokers, we are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s awards, which celebrate excellence and the significant contributions of brokers to our industry,” CGU EGM Damien Gallagher said.

CGU takes over sponsorship from QBE, which had backed the award since 2016.

The young broker of the year award began in 1990 in honour of former insurance commissioner and lecturer Warren Tickle. Mr Tickle’s early career was at Sun Alliance – today known as Vero, which sponsors the award.

The award is open to candidates under the age of 35 and the prize includes a learning experience valued at up to $10,000. Opportunities taken up by previous winners have included visiting London to experience the international broking market and studying at the Yale School of Management in the US.

National winners will be announced at the NIBA Convention at the Adelaide Convention Centre from October 20-22. Details are available here.