The Insight Insurance Brokers Association will introduce two new professional recognition awards at its annual conference in May.

The awards will commemorate the services of Insight member Les McInerny and former National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) National Operations Manager, the late Peter Michell.

The Les McInerny Award of Excellence will be presented annually and aims to encourage participation by professionals with more than three years’ experience.

The association will also continue to present the Norm Dyer Award, which focuses on the achievements of young professionals with experience of three years or less.

The Peter Michell Friends of Insight Award will be open to those who work in any sector of the general insurance industry. The board will select the winner, and it will not necessarily be awarded annually.

Insight Executive Officer Bill Friend says Mr Michell, who died in 2005, supported the establishment of the association and the board wanted to recognise “his help, advice, guidance and support”, without which the association “may not have got off the ground”.

“Apart from all that he was one hell of a nice person,” Mr Friend told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says the board also wants to acknowledge the contributions of Mr McInerny as a founding member, board member and chairman.

This new award is expected to provide an opportunity for more experienced professionals to be recognised.

Nominations for both the Norm Dyer and Les McInerny awards are now open until February 11. Nominations will also be accepted from authorised representatives and their staff.

After initial judging, the top three nominees in each award will be given registration, accommodation and transport to attend the annual Insight conference at the Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort in Queensland in May. The winners will receive the same deal to attend the NIBA Convention in September.