Entries for the 2020 edition of The Valerie Baker Memorial Award will open on May 1 and close on July 3, it has just been announced. The 2020 winner will be announced in August.

Winners receive an expense-paid trip to London, an educational experience tailored to the winner’s interests, focused learning activities with key underwriters and brokers, meetings with senior managers at Lloyd’s of London and $1000 spending money.

The award, which is supported by Steadfast, AUB, Lloyd’s and Gold Seal, has allowed some winners to develop business and career-changing opportunities, Sheila Baker, chair of the judging panel and MD at Gold Seal, said.

“The award is worth more than short-term recognition and a framed certificate,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what qualities and ideas the 2020 entrants will bring. We are planning some exciting changes to the format of the award for next year and expect them to bring even more benefit to entrants.”

Beau Munn, from Origin Insurance Brokers in Melbourne, won the award this year.

Last year’s finalists, James Dunk and Rocco Pirrello, have just returned from a trip to London where they spent time with senior insurance figures and attended Lloyd’s Global Development Centre and The Innovation Lab.