Steadfast has joined Insurance & Care NSW (icare) in sponsoring the inaugural Mansfield Awards, held to recognise and promote excellence in claims handling.

icare, the NSW Government-backed public financial corporation that delivers statutory insurance and care services in the state, was the first organisation to offer financial assistance for the awards, which will be announced in Sydney on July 13.

MD and CEO Vivek Bhatia says the awards organisers, Insurance News and LMI Group, “share icare’s belief that excellence is achieved by dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to achieve positive outcomes”.

“While technology can assist in so many ways, it is the human element that makes every difference to our customers’ outcomes,” he said.

“We believe passionately in the purpose behind the Mansfield Awards. The way claims are managed impacts directly on people’s quality of life outcomes.”

Steadfast MD and CEO Robert Kelly says his company stepped up to co-sponsor the awards “because we understand our customers need confidence that when things go wrong their claims will be paid quickly and smoothly”.

“Claims professionals around Australia deserve to have their ingenuity, their efficiency and their willingness to go the extra yard for the customer recognised, and the Mansfield Awards will provide that recognition,” he said.

Mr Kelly says the awards will also help raise industry claims management standards.

Funding from the sponsoring companies will pay for expenses incurred in holding the July 13 event. Any funds remaining after the event will be donated to Amal Mulia Orphanage in Sumatra, Indonesia, which cares for children orphaned by the September 2007 earthquake and tsunami.

Find out more here.