The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has named the five regional winners who will contend later this month for the Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Broker of the Year.

The regional winners, recognised for demonstrated excellence in insurance broking and a significant contribution to the broking community, were announced last week at a virtual ceremony.

NIBA will name the national winner of the award, sponsored by QBE, during the October 26-30 virtual convention.

“There is an abundance of talented brokers across the country, so being named a finalist and a winner, especially in the current environment, is a truly outstanding achievement,” QBE Chief Customer Officer, Commercial Lines Jason Clarke said.

The full regional results, with the finalists, were as follows:

NSW/ACT
Winner: Connie Yang, Austbrokers ABS Strata
Finalist: Mary-Catherine Thomas, Aon

Queensland
Winner: Lana Mawer, Austcover
Finalists: Jennifer Steger, Trade Risk; Robert Cooper, CPR Insurance Services

SA/NT
Winner: Max Cuzzocrea, Maxton Insurance Brokers
Finalist: Robert Fraser, Gallagher Alice Springs

Victoria/Tasmania
Winner: Steven Coltman, Adroit Insurance & Risk
Finalists: James Skiadas, IMC Insurance Brokers; Michael Stewart, Stewart Insurance Group

WA
Winner: Shelley Hymas, Phoenix Insurance Brokers
Finalists: Brian Martinovich, MBA Insurance Services; Michael Davis, Westside Insurance Specialists