The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance has announced the finalists for this year’s Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

CEO Prue Willsford says the awards are an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s sense of community, innovative spirit and commitment to excellence.

“This year’s awards recognise the highest achievers in the industry, but they also work to highlight the contribution the industry makes to the community more broadly,” she said.

The finalists in each category are:

• Small broking company: Austbrokers Coast to Coast, Simplex Insurance Solutions, Remingtons Insurance Brokers
• Medium broking company: Adroit Insurance Group, GSA Insurance Brokers
• Large broking company: Aon, Marsh
• Underwriting agency: Brooklyn Underwriting, Quantum Underwriting Agencies, PetSure, Underwriting Agencies of Australia
• Small-medium general insurance company: Ansvar Insurance, Hospitality Employers Mutual, RAA Insurance
• Large general insurance company: Allianz, CGU, QBE, Suncorp
• Life insurance company: AMP, BT Financial Group, MetLife, MLC
• Innovation of the year: Employers Mutual, Insuret, MetLife, MLC, Suncorp
• Professional services firm: Barry.Nilsson, Ensure Recruitment, Finity, Minter Ellison, Wotton + Kearney
• Service provider to the industry: JB Hi-Fi, Procare Group
• Women’s employer: AIA Australia, ANZ, IAG, QBE
• Youth development employer: Ansvar Insurance, Gallagher Bassett, IAG
• Young professional: Emma Doney (YDR Chartered Loss Adjusters, Engineers and Surveyors), Adam Hines (Aether Insurance & Risk), Hayley Oakes (Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers), Jacque Withers (Insuret).

The awards will be presented on August 31 in Sydney.