Financial Services Council CEO John Brogden was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.

The former NSW Liberal opposition leader earned the award for services to the community – through Lifeline and other social welfare organisations – the State Parliament and the business and financial sectors.

Mr Brogden has been chairman of phone support service Lifeline Australia since 2012.

Former Allianz Insurance chief GM Philip Cooper was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the insurance industry and the Scouting movement.

He worked with Allianz from 2001 to 2008 and was chairman of the Insurance Council of Australia’s motor accidents standing committee. He has been MD of insurance technology company Audatex Australia since 2008.

David Epper, the founder and MD of Accident & Health International underwriting agency, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to autistic children and the community.

He was a board member with Autism Spectrum Australia from 2001 to 2012.