The Personal Finance Society and parent body the Chartered Insurance Institute have recognised their top examinees and apprentices in a special awards presentation ceremony held in the City of London.

The inaugural event took place last week at the Aldermanbury Insurance Hall, the former home of the CII.

The awards recognised winners of the CII and PFS Apprenticeship Awards and CII Qualification Prizes.

The event honoured the achievements of “exceptional apprentices from across the UK” in 2023 and outstanding performances in CII qualifications during 2022.

The awards included cash prizes of up to £1,000.

Among the examinee awards, in the Financial Planning and Paraplanning categories Thomas Walker of True Potential won the Worshipful Company of Insurers Prize for the Best Result in the Diploma in Financial Planning qualification. The prize for the Best Result in the Certificate in Paraplanning Qualification was won by Georgia Whittle of Rouse Ltd. 

In the Apprenticeship Awards in the Financial Planning and Paraplanning categories, the Financial Services Administrator Apprentice of the Year Winner was Roxanne Hill of Jane Smith Financial Planning Limited and the Paraplanner Apprentice of the Year was won by Heidi Wozniak of Wise Investment.

CII President Russell Higginbotham said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who should all be very proud of what they have achieved.

“Many other sectors have not linked the apprentice journey with a professional body, and a smooth journey to lifelong learning, so it’s fantastic to celebrate those who have newly entered the insurance and financial advice professions and those who may have benefited from an apprenticeship to enhance their existing role potential.”

Anthony Ward, President of the PFS, said: “The entries we received for these inaugural CII and PFS apprenticeship awards have been phenomenal. It is hugely encouraging to see the depth of talent coming into our professions, I’m delighted that we are able to recognise all their hard work and achievements through these awards.”

The CII and PFS have thrown their weight behind the role of apprenticeships in the insurance and personal finance sectors and provide the Aspire Apprenticeship programme to encourage more employers to take on apprentices.

Some of the award winners at the presentation. Image courtesy of CII/PFS

EXAM AWARDS

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) awarded 33 prizes for exceptional performance in its qualifications during 2022. With about 4,000 entries, this year’s winners include insurance and personal finance professionals from Marsh, AXA XL, Axis Capital, Gallagher, EFU Life Assurance, Crowe, Zurich, Faraday Underwriting Limited, Allianz Insurance plc, QBE, Kirkton Insurance Brokers, Thomas Carroll, RSA Group, Marsh McLennan, NFU Mutual, Hiscox, Pettecrew Financial Planning, Coverys, Standard Life and Rouse Limited.

Every winner receives a cash prize of up to £1,000 plus a certificate, which is usually presented at their local insurance institute annual dinner. The CII will share top tips for exceptional performance from this year’s winners across the CII’s social media channels. Entry for prizes is automatic for every CII candidate who completes a test or submits coursework during the year.

More details about the awards visit: https://www.cii.co.uk/about-us/initiatives/engagement/awards/qualifications-awards/

List of Winners

• Crawford Prize for best result in completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Hannah Green of Marsh Ltd (UK) and Patrick Kalumba Muli of Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers Ltd International).
• Henry J. Tapscott Prize in recognition of excellence in completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Tom Potter of Axa XL.
• John Ellams Award for excellence in completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Jamie Fleming of AXIS Capital.
• BIBA Prize for best result in completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification for a candidate employed by a BIBA member: Donna Janet Beckett of Arthur J. Gallagher.
• Swiss Re Reinsurance Prize for best result in the Reinsurance unit M97 on completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Yasir Ehtesham of EFU General Insurance Ltd.
• Manchester Centenary Prize for excellence in completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Daniel Sutton of Ageas Insurance Ltd.
• AIA Education Foundation Prize for best result in the Aviation and Space Insurance unit M91 on completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Chloe Kemp of HDI Global Speciality Ltd.
• David John Hine Memorial Prize for best result in the Advanced Insurance Broking unit 930 on completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Patrice Rolle.
• Alison Ecob Memorial Prize for best result in the Risk Management in Insurance unit 992 for a UK candidate on completion of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Kate Louise Stimson of Marsh & McLennan.
• Worshipful Company of Insurers Prize for best result in the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning qualification: Joanna Keerson Amanda Bambrough of Compliance & Training Solutions Ltd.
• Barnfield Prize for excellence in completion of the core units of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: William Goldhawk of Faraday Underwriting Ltd.
• JB Welson Prize for excellence in completion of the core units of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance qualification: Paula Jane Rhodes of Zurich.
• Kenneth Griffiths Prize for the best result in the Advanced Claims unit 820: Louis Alexander Frost of Allianz Insurance.
• Paul Maynard Memorial Prize for the best result in the Advanced Insurance Broking
  unit 930: Freya Cramp of Marsh & McLennan.
• CII Award in Excellence in Claims Practice for the best result in the Claims Practice
  unit M85: Luke Hughes of Zurich.
• McNeil and Wallace Award, Liverpool Underwriters Association, for the best result in the Cargo and Goods in Transit Insurance unit M90: Jake Vardon-Prince of Axa Insurance.
• London Business Interruption Association Prize for best result in the Commercial Property and Business Interruption unit M93: Deborah Welsh of Kirton Insurance Brokers Ltd.
• London Business Interruption Association Prize for best result in the Commercial Property and Business Interruption unit M93: Katherine Chinery of Aegis Managing Agency Ltd.
• Stanley Brown Prize for the best result in the Liability Insurances unit M96: Sarah Jane Hughes of Thomas Carroll.
• Boleslaw Monic Prize for the best result in the Reinsurance unit M97: Francesco Soscia of Guy Carpenter.
• McNeil and Wallace Award, Liverpool Underwriters Association for the best result in the Marine Hull and Associated Liabilities unit M98: Gavin Beningfield of RSA Group.
• Layborn Prize for the best result in the Pensions and Retirement Planning unit R04: Matthew Davies of Pettecrew Financial Planning.
• Sedgwick International UK Prize for the best result in the Insurance, Legal and Regulatory unit IF1 and the Insurance Claims Handling Process unit IF4 for a UK candidate: Christopher Barker of NFU Mutual Insurance Society Ltd.
• International Underwriting Association Prize for the Best result in the Diploma in Insurance qualification for a candidate employed by a member of the IUA: Elliot Woodhouse of Hamilton Insurance Group.
• Worshipful Company of Insurers Prize for the best result in the Diploma in Insurance qualification: Benjamin Purkiss of Coverys European Holdings.
• John Poel Prize for the best result in the Diploma in Insurance qualification for a candidate employed by a BIBA member: Sebastian Charles Cutteridge of Arthur J Gallagher.
• Worshipful Company of Insurers Prize for the best result in the Diploma in Financial Planning qualification: Thomas Walker of True Potential.
• Certificate in London Market Insurance Specialisation – The Colin Gilchrist Memorial: Tom Potter of Axa XL.
• Certificate in Insurance – Worshipful Company of Insurers: Amanda Maria Rook of John Walker Insurance Ltd.
• Worshipful Company of Insurers Prize for the best result in the Award in Financial Administration qualification: Kevin Bingham of The Phoenix Group.
• Certificate in Paraplanning prize for the best result in the Certificate in Paraplanning qualification: Georgia Whittle of Rouse Ltd.
• Certificate in Insurance Market Specialisation – The Dr Alexander Scott: Hannah Green
  of Marsh.
• The Rutter Medal for Best New Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute: Michael Ryan of Allianz Partners.

Aldermanbury Insurance Hall, City of London. Source: Google Maps

APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS

The CII and PFS inaugural Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the achievements of “exceptional apprentices” in the UK in seven different categories, with cash prizes of up to £1,000, funded by the Education and Training Trust.

The entry criteria require an explanation of how the nominee has made a positive contribution to their profession and wider society, with reference to a “quantifiable accomplishment,” creativity and innovation, and Standards, Professionalism and Trust, consistent with the aims of the two professional membership bodies.

Russell Higginbotham, President of the CII, said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s Apprenticeship Award winners, who should all be very proud of what they have achieved. All the entrants have demonstrated the value they can bring to the insurance and personal finance professions, and I know the CII and PFS are looking forward to assisting in their further development over coming years.”

Anthony Ward, President of the PFS, said: “The entries we received for these inaugural CII and PFS awards have been phenomenal. It is hugely encouraging to see the depth of talent coming into our professions, I’m delighted that we are able to recognise all their hard work and achievements through these awards.”

The CII and PFS Apprenticeship Awards are open to all apprentices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. CII qualifications must have been completed as part of the apprenticeship standards and frameworks. Nominations are welcome from employers, training providers, and apprentices themselves.

More information on the Awards can be found here.

List of winners

Insurance Practitioner Apprentice of the year Winner: George Worby, Daines Kapp Insurance Broker

Insurance Practitioner Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Katie Kent, AXA Health & Rosie Gospage, Brit Insurance

Insurance Professional Apprentice of the Year Winner: Ryan McAllister, esure Insurance

Insurance Professional Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Dave Hamer, Willis Towers Watson & Chris Allatt, Gallagher Re

Senior Insurance Professional Apprentice of the Year Winner: Joseph Bryant, Marsh Mclennan

Financial Services Administrator Apprentice of the Year Winner: Roxanne Hill, Jane Smith Financial Planning Limited

Financial Services Administrator Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Bill Boote, St James's Place

Financial Advisor Apprentice of the Year Winner: Emmelia Powell, Premier Wealth Solutions

Mortgage Advisor Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Jones, Hayden Kilkelly IFA Ltd

Paraplanner Apprentice of the Year: Heidi Wozniak, Wise Investment