The NSW and SA state winners of the Warren Tickle Memorial Award and Broker of the Year award have been named at events in Sydney and Adelaide.

Alexandra Blannin-Ferguson, an account executive at Willis, won the Warren Tickle Memorial Award in NSW.

Ms Blannin-Ferguson told insuranceNEWS.com.au colleagues, clients and insurers encouraged her to enter the Vero-sponsored award, which was presented by Vero Sales Manager Broker Distribution Northern Corinne Richardson.

The award honours the memory of former Insurance Commissioner Warren Tickle, and is open to all National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) brokers aged under 35.

Chris Donnelly of Donnelly Insurance Brokers in Adelaide won the SA division of the award.

The award was presented by Vero Sales Manager SA Jason Nadge.

Mr Donnelly’s father Mike founded the firm in 1976 and his son has worked there for nine years.

Spyros Stathakis of Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers is the NSW winner of the Broker of the Year award, which was presented by Zurich NSW/ACT State Manager Nick Dendrinos.

The award, which is in its first year and sponsored by Zurich Australia, recognises high-performing NIBA brokers of any age.

Mr Stathakis is a director of the firm and has worked there for 31 years. One of the first people he spoke to after the award was announced was company chairman Warren Saunders, whom Mr Stathakis says is a “sensational role model” in inspiring staff. 

Zurich SA Manager Paul Dorman presented the SA Broker of the Year award to JLTA Adelaide GM Gary Okely.

Mr Okely says that in accepting the award at a luncheon on Friday he stressed the importance of professionalism and relationships in the industry.

He says brokers have to deal with a lot of technical information, and they have to ensure they “keep delivering on their promise to clients that when their businesses are facing tough times and they have just had a loss, the insurance arrangements in place and the advice we give help them rebuild”.

The national winners of the two awards will be announced at the NIBA Convention on the Gold Coast in October.