Gold Seal and Steadfast have named five finalists for the inaugural Valerie Baker Memorial Award, which recognises excellence in the general insurance intermediary sector.

The winner will receive a trip to London, including an industry short course at the Chartered Insurance Institute, a tour of Lloyd’s and time in the market’s underwriting room.

The finalists are:

• Belinda Scott of BJS Insurance Group;
• Ben Goodall of Griffiths Goodall Insurance Brokers;
• Ben Johnston-Bradford of Specialist Underwriting Agencies;
• Julie Pernecker of All Parks Insurance; and
• Sharon Fox-Slater of EBM Insurance Brokers.

“I was very happy with the high calibre of nominations received,” Gold Seal MD Sheila Baker told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “The award is designed to appeal to high-potential individuals.”

Ms Baker’s sister Valerie, a broker who founded Gold Seal, died last year after suffering mesothelioma.

The finalists will be interviewed by a judging panel including Sheila Baker, Steadfast CEO Robert Kelly and Lloyd’s General Representative for Australia Adrian Humphreys.

The winner will be announced at the Steadfast convention in Melbourne from March 1-4.