Belinda Scott of Melbourne-based BJS Insurance Brokers has won the inaugural Valerie Baker Memorial Award.

She wins a trip to London in April, to complete a short course at the Chartered Insurance Institute, tour Lloyd’s and spend time in the market’s underwriting room.

The award, for excellence in the general insurance intermediary sector, honours Gold Seal founder Valerie Baker, who died last year.

It was presented at the Steadfast conference this morning, when Valerie’s sister and Gold Seal MD Sheila Baker spoke of Valerie’s commitment to encouraging professionalism in the broking and underwriting agency industries.

Ms Baker says the judges were impressed with Ms Scott’s track record – building from a single office in regional Victoria to five offices nationally – and her commitment to ongoing professional development and industry contribution.

“We were bowled over by the quality of the nominees, not just the finalists,” Ms Baker said. “We had the cream of Australia’s insurance talent in front of us. Valerie would have been very proud.”