The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) revealed the winners of its 2021 broker awards in WA at a virtual awards ceremony on Friday.

GSK Insurance Brokers Senior Account Manager Jeff Booth was named WA Broker of the Year. Finalists had included Marsh Managing Principal Sarsha Neal and Imperium Insurance & Financial Solutions MD Sumit Sopori.

“It’s a real honour to be recognised in this way,” Mr Booth said. “I appreciate the guidance many people have given me.”

The national Broker of the Year receives the Stephen Ball Memorial Award, which is sponsored by QBE, while the national Young Professional Broker of the Year is awarded the Warren Tickle Memorial Award and joins sponsor Vero's prestigious Young Brokers Alumni Program.

QBE GM Sales & Relationship Management Elliot Hill says the “commitment to top-tier customer service by Jeff is an inspiration to the broking community, and the resulting positive impact on their customers, teams and local communities is one of great significance”.

Albany District Insurance Brokers Account Executive Luke Cameron was named WA Young Professional Broker of the Year.

Finalists included Knightcorp Insurance Brokers Account Executive Joel Middleton and Risk Guidance Insurance MD Robbie Gibbs.

“In addition to being a true advocate for his clients, Luke has shown a strong commitment to the ongoing professional development and personal wellbeing of his staff, whilst also volunteering for local charitable organisations,” Vero State Distribution Manager WA Andrew Walker said.

Mr Booth and Mr Cameron join Capital Innovation’s Ian Goninon and Integral Insurance Services’ Mitchell Wight – the 2021 winners in Victoria/Tasmania – and regional winners in Queensland, NSW/ACT and SA/NT in competing for national honours.

The Queensland winners will be announced on Wednesday, the NSW/ACT winners on Friday and the SA/NT winners at a gala lunch in Adelaide on July 23.

NIBA was forced to take most of its awards ceremonies online due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions on gatherings and travel.

Under a radically revised 2021 convention line up, NIBA will now host a five-day hybrid convention, visiting Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney from September 28 to October 28. Delegates will have the opportunity to attend in their home state while also accessing the entire national program virtually.

This year’s WA gala lunch has been rescheduled to August 6 at the Crown Perth Grand Ballroom while the NSW gala lunch at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf has been moved to August 20.

The NIBA/UAC Queensland Underwriting Expo and gala lunch has been rescheduled to Wednesday September 22.