The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has named John Farrell from Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers as its Victoria and Tasmania broker of the year.

BJS Insurance Brokers (Gippsland) Branch Manager and partner Adam Ware is the region’s young professional broker of the year.

Mr Farrell beat finalist Hayden Armstrong of Armstrong’s Insurance Brokers, while Mr Ware defeated finalists Ben Gair of Australian General Insurance Services and Ben Robinson of Arthur J Gallagher.

NIBA CEO Dallas Booth says the winners represent the “highest standards of professionalism and competence in the broking industry”.

Mr Farrell will contest the national Stephen Ball Memorial Award, sponsored by QBE, and Mr Ware the Vero-sponsored Warren Tickle Memorial Award, taking on the winners from four other regions.

Overall winners will be announced at the NIBA Convention in Sydney on September 11.