Gold Seal says more nominations are being welcomed for the inaugural Valerie Baker Memorial Award, which recognises excellence in the general insurance intermediary sector.

The prize is a trip to London, including business-class airfares, accommodation, a five-day Chartered Insurance Institute course and a tour of Lloyd’s, including time on the underwriting floor.

“The education part and the understanding of the Lloyd’s market are both very relevant to Australian brokers and underwriters,” Gold Seal MD Sheila Baker told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Nominations close on November 30, and those received so far are of a “high quality”, Ms Baker says.

Ms Baker’s sister Valerie died earlier this year after suffering mesothelioma.

After moving to Melbourne from England as a 16-year-old in 1963, Valerie Baker became the first female director of a broking company. In 1995 she founded Gold Seal Practice Management.

The judging panel for the award includes Sheila Baker, Steadfast CEO Robert Kelly and Lloyd’s General Representative for Australia Adrian Humphreys.

Shortlisted nominees will be interviewed and a winner will be announced at next year’s Steadfast Convention.

The award – sponsored by Gold Seal and Steadfast – is open to Australian residents working for any general insurance brokerage or underwriting agency.

Nomination forms and further details are available here.