The first set of finalists for the first annual Insurance Business Awards, brought to you by Markel and produced by Insurance Business Magazine, have today been announced.
Over 190 finalists in 18 categories have been drawn for the awards, which cut a wide swath across the insurance channel and are a chance to secure industry recognition and celebrate the very best the country has to offer.
The Insurance Business Awards celebrate the outstanding work done by insurance professionals across Canada, and will take place on the evening of Wednesday November 30 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.
Karen Barkley, president of Markel Canada, said the insurer was excited about the upcoming event and looking forward to “celebrating some industry success stories,” adding that the company would be supporting the awards as both a sponsor and a nominee.
Chris Davis, the Insurance Business Awards’ operations manager, commended the impressive feedback from the insurance community.
He said: “The number of recommendations and nominations for brokers and the industry has been outstanding… These efforts are a testament to the industry’s belief in elevating the industry as a whole,” adding that the evening promises to be “spectacular”.
With more to be announced tomorrow, here are the first set of finalists for the Insurance Business Awards 2016:
South Western Group Award for Broker of The Year

• Bryson & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd – Scott Bryson
• HUB International – Michelle Topping
• Condominium Insurance Solutions – Jeff Rodin
• Oracle RMS – Michael Di Nardo
• Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd. – Joe Palmer
• Rempel Insurance Brokers Ltd. – Shawn Graydon
• Rogers Insurance – Bryce Kumka

Business Development Manager of The Year

• Allianz Global Assistance – Karen Costain
• Aon Canada – Andrew Ali
• Burns & Wilcox Canada – Jodie Kaufman-Davis
• Aviva Canada – Mitzy Gale
• Creechurch International Underwriters – Cheryl Hobbs
• HUB International – Susan Rutherford
• Intact Insurance Company – Jeff Walker
• RSA Canada – Kelly Hopkins
• Sound Insurance Services Inc. – Debbie Arnold

Life & Health Advisor of the Year

• AndrewWBradley.ca Financial Services – Andrew Bradley
• BMO Nesbitt Burns – Jamie Wilson
• Palladium Insurance – Gavin Mosley
• Insurance Portfolio Inc. – Chris Gory
• Milliennial Financial Group – Samuel Waxman
• Morrow, Crossdale & Associates Inc. – Paul Crossdale
• RBC Life Insurance Company – Rosanna Donnelly
• Sun Life Financial – Aviva Huberman
• Woodgate Financial – Jason Pereira

The Equisoft Award for Life and Health Insurer of the Year

• Desjardins General Insurance Group
• Empire Life
• LaCapitale Financial Group
• Manulife
• RBC Life Insurance Company
• Standard Life
• Sun Life Financial
• The Great-West Life Assurance Company

Pal Insurance Brokers Award for Young Gun of the Year

• Bryson & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd – Neil Bryson
• Diamond Insurance Group Inc. – Simar Sidhu
• Giles Financial Solutions Inc. – Dave Giles
• Groupe Ostiguy & Gendron – Maxime Poulin
• InsureLine Brokers Inc. – Aly Kanji
• McDougall Hunt Insurance Brokers – Meagan MacDonald
• PDF Financial Group Inc. – Peter Demangos
• Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services – Crystal Underhill
• Rempel Insurance Brokers Ltd. – Shawn Graydon

The Insurr Award for Advertising Campaign of the Year

• AIG
• April Canada
• Aviva Canada
• Economical Insurance
• Markel Canada Limited
• RSA Canada
• Sun Life Financial
• The Guarantee Company of North America
• Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
• Wynward Insurance Group
• Zurich Canada

Best Brokerage Under 10 People

• Bedrock Insurance Brokers
• CM Steele Insurance Brokers
• Hatton Insurance Agency Ltd.
• Jones-Dooley Insurance
• Louis Meier Insurance Brokers Ltd.
• ProBenefits Consulting Inc.
• Sussex Corporate Risk