peopleNEWS

Envest has whale of a time at Sunshine Coast gathering

About 530 delegates attended Envest’s biggest conference yet on the Sunshine Coast in September.

The three-day event was supported by 55 sponsors and exhibitors, including platinum partners Allianz, CGU, Chubb, Hollard, NTI, QBE, Vero and Zurich.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Envest CEO Greg Mullins and National Insurance Brokers Association CEO Richard Klipin, panels discussed broking and technology, and special guests included Daniel Flynn, co-founder of social enterprise Thankyou, Australia’s first Sudoku team captain Mick Colliss, and former INXS frontman Ciaran Gribbin.

Activities included whale watching and surfing, and Envest also raised more than $120,000 through auctions, fines and pledges for its new community foundation, Envest for Good.

Through the foundation Envest will support local communities with employee-driven projects. At the conference $50,000 was donated to five “incredible causes”:

Hummingbird House, Mindful Aus, the University of Sydney Frontier FTD Research Clinic, Be Centre Foundation and Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Conference enables CBN spirit to Shine

Community Broker Network raised more than $130,000 for charity at its annual Shine conference in August.

At the event in Canberra, the Shine awards were presented and CBN CEO Richard Crawford launched the Better Together Playbook, providing brokers with a practical framework to drive collaboration and growth across the network.

“Everything we do is about building better brokers, better business and a better community, and Shine 2025 proved just how powerful that focus can be,” Mr Crawford said.

A panel session featured CBN chairman Gary Seymour and industry figures Nigel Fitzgerald and Jeff Holland, and another exploring innovation, efficiency and growth featured Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance CEO Katrina Shanks, Mr Seymour, Atmosphere Capital director Austin Szramka and CBN’s EGM of broking operations Wendy Foweraker.

APIG holds presentations and celebrations

The Australasian Professional Indemnity Group held its annual conference and gala dinner in Sydney as it marks its 30th anniversary.

A packed full-day program in September was followed by the presentation of awards and scholarships at the gala event, attended by more than 500 people.

Former national president Robin Singh received the lifetime membership award, recognising individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to APIG and the financial lines industry.

Aon Australia head of construction Mary-Catherine Hamill was presented the biennial Gilchrist Connell Frank Earl Award for excellence.

The Wotton Kearney APIG scholarship recognising emerging claims talent went to Dominic Parkes-Dolan from Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, while Ellie Howell of Scor Business Solutions was the recipient of the WKLMA FinPro travelling scholarship.

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Hundreds celebrate ANZIIF awards

More than 850 insurance professionals attended the Star Event Centre in Sydney in August for the 21st Australian Insurance Industry Awards.

Hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, the awards recognise outstanding service and professionalism across the sector.

ANZIIF says the “highest honours of the evening”, the lifetime achiever awards, were presented to “two iconic industry leaders” – co-founder and CEO of Steadfast Robert Kelly and founder and chairman of Insurance Advisernet Ian Carr.

In her welcome address, ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks paid tribute to the collective strength of the insurance profession.

“Our industry stands as a pillar of trust and resilience – always ready to support customers through times of uncertainty and change,” she said.

‘Orangestone’ raises more than $400k

A staggering $416,000 was raised for charities at McLardy McShane’s “Orangestone” group conference held in August in the Blue Mountains.

Guests at the final dinner pledged $208,000 for community initiatives and McLardy McShane matched the contributions.

Supported charities include CureEB and Tilly Wilkes, Reach Foundation, Danny Frawley Centre, Black Dog Institute, Love Your Sister, Soar Foundation Ireland, and Women for Women in Africa.

“At the conference, we acknowledged the tragic passing of two or our team members – Oli Cenedese and Craig Matters,” executive chairman Don McLardy said. “Their wives and children will also be some of the major beneficiaries of everyone’s generosity.”

A new management structure was unveiled at the event, with Meg Long appointed CEO of McLardy McShane Partners and Nick McLardy named CEO of McLardy McShane Insurance Advisors.