NIBA names SA/NT broker award winners

SUREWiSE CEO Heather Blanco and Maxton Account Executive Joseph Cuzzocrea have been crowned SA/NT National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) award winners, completing the set of ten 2022 regional finalists who all now go on to compete for national honours.

Ms Blanco was named SA/NT Broker of the Year at the annual gala lunch, held today at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Mr Cuzzocrea was named Young Broker of the Year.

“The benchmark is set very high for determining the finalists and winners. We congratulate Heather and Joseph, and would like to acknowledge all the finalists who demonstrated a commitment to professionalism and ongoing improvement,” NIBA CEO Philip Kewin said.

NIBA’s national Broker of the Year receives the Stephen Ball Memorial Award, which is sponsored by QBE, and the Young Broker of the Year receives the Warren Tickle Memorial Award, sponsored by Vero.

Those winners will be announced in October.

“With her outstanding record of client advocacy and customer service at SUREWiSE, Heather has set a very high standard, and we commend her for this broking achievement,” QBE Australia Pacific GM Partnerships – Business Lorelle Hillman said.

Vero’s Commercial Manager for SA & NT Preston Ipkendanz said Mr Cuzzocrea demonstrated strong commitment to providing excellent service to his customers and had established himself as a trusted adviser in the local market.

“Brokers like Joseph are the reason that Vero has been a proud supporter of NIBA’s Young Professionals and the Warren Tickle Award for more than three decades,” he said.

Here is the full set of 2022 winners, by region:

Broker of the Year:

NSW/ACT: Citadel Insurance Services Director Nicholas Bedggood

WA: FordSure Director Derek Ford

Queensland: WTW Property and Casualty Account Director Sally Coulton

Victoria/Tasmania: Gallagher Senior Account Executive Daniel Quintin

SA/NT: SUREWiSE CEO Heather Blanco

Young Broker of the Year:

NSW/ACT: DLB Insurance + Risk Solutions MD Dean Bowen

WA: Marsh Managing Principal Selena Piggott

Queensland: Thompson Insurance Account Manager William Thompson

Victoria/Tasmania: Aon/Affinity Insurance Brokers Client Manager Greg Shallard