• 11th June - ProtectZ
• 1st July - Awards entries open
• 31st August - Awards entries close
• 1st October - Awards Judging Day (Shortlists follow shortly after)
• 26th November - Conference, Dinner & Awards at The Landmark London Hotel

After 6 hours of debate we had selected our winners. Here are the reasons why they won.

Innovation Award in association with Gen Re

Winner: Royal London

Royal London won because it showed innovation that advisers and customers will feel day to day. The judges focused on impact, not buzzwords, and Royal London delivered a measurable reduction in the time it takes to make underwriting decisions and a speeding up of claims processes.

In a category where several entries came across as minor upgrades or “business as usual”, Royal London stood out by proving it made a process change. Faster underwriting means quicker decisions, less friction for advisers, and a smoother journey for customers at the point of application.

The entry did not rely on claims about redefining innovation. It kept the focus on an improvement in underwriting and claims processing, backed by results, and the panel agreed that this kind of measurable progress deserves recognition.

Best New Product/Enhancement in association with Hannover Re UK Life Branch

Winner: Scottish Widows

Scottish Widows won because they made an advancement of income protection that advisers can use and customers can benefit from. Judges liked that the product tackled a gap in the market around mental health, with high acceptance levels for applicants with mental health histories. That focus on access and fairer underwriting raised the bar in a product area many people find hard to buy.

They backed the story with evidence. The entry included metrics, including intermediary market share results, which showed the change landed with advisers. Judges picked out practical improvements like added fracture cover and an immediate payment feature, which help at the point customers need support.

Scottish Widows combined innovation with usability and feedback, making them the winner.

Individual Protection Adviser of the Year in association with The Exeter 

Winner: Charlotte Rogers, Radcliffe & Co

Charlotte Rogers won because she showed impact beyond her own sales. The judges saw a leader who improves outcomes for clients and helps move the protection market forward. Her work connected protection with other parts of financial planning, including wealth and later-life needs, which showed joined-up advice.

She stood out for the way she championed support and understanding around women’s health, and for getting involved in industry initiatives that influence how firms and insurers think and act. Judges described her as someone with “her eye on the ball” across the client journey.

She came across as a mentor and a driver of progress, not just an adviser. That mix of leadership, broad involvement, and influence made her the winner.

Health Insurance Adviser of the Year in association with National Friendly

Winner: Lifepoint Healthcare

Lifepoint Healthcare won because they showed evidence of impact, not a description of “good broking.” The judges saw detail and stats beyond the rest of the field, including examples of client outcomes such as cost savings for an employer.

Their entry showed they do things differently in how they engage and support clients, rather than running standard renewals and admin. That mix of measurable results, practical problem-solving, and an approach to improving health solutions put them ahead.

Lifepoint delivered the strongest case for best-in-class advice and client outcomes, so they won with no need for a commended.

Best Mortgage and Protection Intermediary in association with AMI

Winner: Mortgage Advice Bureau

Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) won because the judges saw a measurable commitment to protection, backed up by statistics. Their entry explained processes, showed how they invest in protection capability across the business, and proved they treat protection as more than an add-on to the mortgage.

Judges liked the scale of what MAB delivers and the momentum behind it, including growth in areas like income protection and a focus on customer needs, not the mortgage need. The panel felt MAB’s approach combined volume with intent, and that matters in a category designed to raise standards in mortgage-led advice.

The judges praised MAB’s customer engagement and innovation, including digital support and financial resilience initiatives. While the panel discussed pricing and panel structures, MAB came out on top because the entry showed investment, direction, and results that stood out from the field.

Underwriting & Claims Award in association with Reframe Cancer

Winner: The Exeter

The Exeter won because they combine underwriting decisions with a customer-first culture. The judges liked how inclusive they are, with high acceptance rates and a willingness to take on complex cases, including mental health. That matters because it helps more people get cover on fair terms, not just the easy cases.

They also topped the adviser survey, taking the highest share of votes. That told the judges The Exeter delivers a consistent experience for advisers and clients, not just an entry on paper.

Across underwriting and claims, The Exeter came through as practical, efficient, and focused on doing what customers need when they feel vulnerable. In a category where trust and consistency matter, The Exeter showed both, backed by adviser support and a track record.

Young Achiever Award in association with Zurich 

Winner:  Laura Mitchell, Guardian

Laura Mitchell won because she stood out as the accomplished young leader in the category. The judges saw engagement across the industry that went beyond day-to-day performance. She brought energy to sector initiatives, and she made an impression at the ProtectZ Conference (where all speakers are under 30), where her contribution was impactful.

Her entry landed. It showed purpose, involvement with the protection community, and a drive to improve outcomes for others, not building her own career.

Judges felt the standard was high, but Laura rose above the pack.

She showed rapid professional development and used it to add value. That mix of pace, substance, and industry impact made her the choice for the award.

Best Care & Support Experience in association with CIExpert

Winner: Zurich

Zurich won Best Care and Support because they showed a holistic approach to supporting customers beyond the core insurance product. Judges were impressed by the breadth and relevance of their services, including suicide prevention, elder care, and tailored health and wellbeing support.

What set Zurich apart was not the range of benefits, but how they demonstrated use and impact. Their entry included data on engagement, access, and outcomes, showing these services are promoted and embedded, not added as a tick-box exercise.

Judges recognised the way Zurich designed their proposition around customer life journeys, mapping support to moments of need rather than relying on disconnected apps or bolt-ons. This customer-first thinking, backed by metrics and delivery, showed a commitment to care that goes beyond traditional insurance and made Zurich a winner in this category.

Global Development Award in association with INSTANDA

Winner: Qantev

Qantev won because they showed real-world impact at a global level. They built an AI-powered claims platform that tackles fraud, waste, and abuse, and they backed this up with data. The judges liked that Qantev did not just talk about potential – they showed measurable results and value for insurers.

Their success across Asia, EMEA, and now the US proved the platform adapts to different markets. That global traction set them apart. Judges also praised their use of AI at enterprise scale in claims management, where accuracy and trust matter.

Client testimonials helped seal the win, showing the platform works in practice, not just on paper. Overall, Qantev delivered the strongest evidence of innovation, scale, and results.

Best Protection Network in association with HSBC Life

Winner: The Openwork Partnership

Openwork won because the judges saw this as the best submission, backed by evidence and industry impact. Their entry showed how they turn strategy into action, with protection conversion rates, mandated protection conversations, and a commitment to improving outcomes at scale.

The judges were impressed by Openwork’s partnerships, business school, and apprenticeship routes, which support adviser development and long-term quality. The work on advanced underwriting stood out as an industry game changer. Judges agreed Openwork put time, resources, and leadership behind it, and that progress would have stalled without their push.

The focus on underserved markets mattered. Openwork showed how a network can grow protection while raising standards across the market. Despite a race, the judges felt Openwork delivered the best mix of leadership, delivery, and measurable impact.

Protection Intermediary of the Year in association with HSBC Life

Winner: Waddle

Waddle won because the judges saw innovation that improves the customer journey, not another broking model. Their entry stood out for an end-to-end, customer-driven approach built around a CRM system that supports advisers from first contact through to ongoing servicing.

The judges liked that Waddle earned credibility. They showed momentum, a service model, and a willingness to be open about what works and what needs work. Several judges highlighted that insurers invite Waddle in to consult and share insight, which signals influence beyond their own business.

In a category of established names, Waddle felt forward-thinking. Their blend of technology and customer focus gave the judges confidence they will keep raising standards and have impact in future.

Distribution Impact Award in association with Aviva

Winner: Mortgage Advice Bureau

Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) won because the judges saw the best evidence-led entry, backed by metrics and proof of impact. They showed investment in protection distribution, not through volume but through customer engagement and processes.

The panel liked how MAB keeps in touch with customers who cannot proceed today and brings them back when the time is right. That approach helps grow the market with younger customers and keeps protection front of mind.

Judges credited MAB’s ongoing investment in digital tools and data-led support, including financial resilience initiatives and tools that guide and nudge customers. The entry showed continuous improvement, a mix of business, and efficiency across their journey.

Other entries had elements, but MAB edged it by combining scale, innovation, and measurable outcomes in one story.

Best Protection Marketing in association with Quietroom

Winner: Zurich

Zurich won because they delivered an ambitious marketing campaign in the category. They tackled a concern for customers - long NHS waiting times and the fear that comes with serious illness - and turned it into a message people would notice.

The judges liked the creativity and scale. Zurich ran a multi-channel campaign across TV, national radio, and digital, and it linked to their proposition. It did not feel like “marketing-by-numbers” or a report and a press release. It felt like a joined-up campaign built around a customer problem.

It stood out. Judges said it was the one they would remember months later. That mix of relevance, creative work, and broad reach made Zurich the winner.

Protection Journalist of the Year in association with Iress

Winner: Cameron Roberts, COVER magazine

This year’s winner is a trade journalist who joined the industry two years ago.

Since then, his coverage of key industry topics combined with an open and honest approach has impressed the market and the judges.

He is liked and respected across the industry for his open, honest and refreshing approach to content and journalism.

Unsung Hero in association with MetLife

Winner: Steve Berry, The Openwork Partnership

Steve Berry won because he delivers impact beyond his day job, and people across the sector feel it. The judges received two separate submissions for him, written independently, which says a lot about the respect he has earned without chasing the spotlight.

His entry showed longevity and commitment, plus work that benefits the industry, not his own network. Judges liked the focus on innovation and collaboration, including his involvement in initiatives that improve underwriting and adviser support.

What sealed it was the strength of the testimonials. They came through as consistent, detailed, and heartfelt, painting the picture of someone colleagues trust, learn from, and rely on. He makes things better for others, keeps doing it year after year, and never makes it about himself.

Doing it Better Award in association with Iress

Winner: London & Country

London & Country won because the judges saw joined-up action, not an entry. Their submission showed purpose running through the business, covering staff, customers, and the community, and it matched what they do day to day.

Judges liked that the approach felt authentic and embedded, not a checklist exercise. The focus on people, purpose, and protection came through, with measurable actions and named responsibility, rather than commitments. The use of “community” felt genuine, not cosmetic.

The panel felt this work reflected the culture of the organisation, not a short-term initiative or marketing push. Compared with other entries that drifted into product or innovation territory, London & Country stayed true to the spirit of the award and showed how to do business in a responsible way.

Personality of the Year in association with Beagle Street 

Winner: Emma Astley

Emma Astley turned her tragic loss into a purpose which drives her to this day. Her personal motivation, commitment to advice and client centric values, often witnessed in social media posts, make her an ambassador for protection.

Through her work at industry events and online, she has helped raise awareness of protection, celebrated product innovation and highlighted where we as an industry could, and should, do better. 

Organisation of the Year

Winner: Zurich

Zurich was named Organisation of the Year because of the consistency and depth of its performance across the awards. Judges noted that Zurich “won awards wherever they go”, reflecting entries across multiple categories rather than a standout initiative.

They impressed with customer-focused solutions that addressed needs, backed by products and adviser support. Their win in Best Care and Support highlighted a human approach, with services designed to help customers at moments, delivered in a structured way.

Zurich secured the Best Marketing Award, reinforcing how they communicate those values. The judges recognised marketing that cut through, tackled issues, and resonated with advisers and customers.

Across innovation, care and support, marketing, and product quality, Zurich showed industry leadership and attention to detail. Taken together, their entries demonstrated a business that leads from the front, listens to advisers, and delivers standards, making them a choice for Organisation of the Year.

Lifetime Achievement in association with Legal & General

Winner: Margaret Kirby, MBE

This year’s recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award has devoted her career to putting others first.

In an act of compassion and conviction, she set aside a career in law to dedicate herself to helping those facing terminal illness  - people who had nowhere else to turn.

She provides support and legal expertise that helps people to provide for their dependants and deal with the financial consequences of their imminent death.

An unsung hero, and a human being, she has made an impact at vulnerable moments in people’s lives.

She has worked alongside and, when necessary, to challenge the industry - with integrity, determination, and with a commitment to doing what is right.

Her dedication has earned her respect and admiration, and this year her contributions were recognised with the award of an MBE for her services.

Her work has changed lives, influenced policy, and inspired others.

She embodies the best of what our industry can be - compassionate, courageous, and driven by purpose and principle.

How to win in 2026?

• Read and respond to the entry criteria
• Stick to the format and word count
• Back up your claims as best you can with evidence, stats, testimonials & more

And for a bit of fun – check out this video by Kevin Carr.

Here's the final set of full replay videos of all the presentations and panels from the 2025 conference in bingeable "boxset" format. You can watch the videos at your leisure. You can use the YouTube controls to watch at up to 2x speed meaning you can get through the content quicker. Use the time stamps in the ProtectX Live video to jump to specific speakers.

Session 3: Protect X Live
7 speakers. 7 minutes each. 7 different topics. Chaired by Roger Edwards

Speaker time stamps:

00:00 Roger Edwards, Protection Review
07:32 Will Trump, Unconventional Wisdom
14:17 Shelley Walker, The Exeter
22:08 Sally Waterfield, National Friendly
30:52 Charlie Carroll, Push
38:27 Dave Eaton, H/Advisors Cicero
45:26 Fiona Wynn, Royal London
51:17 Meg Kirby MBE, Legacare

Closing Remarks - Kevin Carr, Protection Review

Here's the third set of full replay videos of all the presentations and panels from the 2025 conference in bingeable "boxset" format. You can watch the videos at your leisure. You can use the YouTube controls to watch at up to 2x speed meaning you can get through the content quicker.

AMI Protection Viewpoint Q&A

• Kevin Carr, Protection Review
• Stacy Penn, Association of Mortgage Intermediaries

Here's the second set of full replay videos of all the presentations and panels from the 2025 conference in bingeable "boxset" format. You can watch the videos at your leisure. You can use the YouTube controls to watch at up to 2x speed meaning you can get through the content quicker.

Session 2: Brand new customers only? Introduction by Jo Miller

In this session we’ll be challenging our audience to think about the way that we work as an industry and whether it’s right to offer new product features or upgrades to new customers only. And what about taking features away?

We’ll consider the reasons we often work this way and the implications of doing so.

Speaker 1: Jason Hurley

Speaker 2: Carlton Hood, Guardian

Speaker 3: Lizzy Lubczanski, RGA

Panel Debate

• Ryan Griffin, Beagle Street
• Rhys Williams, Quietroom
• Emma Astley, Cover My Bubble  
• Alisa Wallington, iPipeline

Watch this space for the replay videos from Session 3 coming soon.

We've put together full replay videos of all the presentations and panels from the 2025 conference in bingeable "boxset" format.

You can watch the videos at your leisure. You can use the YouTube controls to watch at up to 2x speed meaning you can get through the content quicker.

Session 1: Are We Disruptable?

Someone said to us a few weeks ago, “You can’t Uber protection”. But surely, we must be disruptable because so many things are still done they way they used to be?

Then again, maybe things are done that way for good reasons. Lots of little things are changing but when an industry is disrupted it’s the big things that change. Will that ever happen to protection? Let’s talk about it.

Conference Opening Address and Session 1 Introduction by Kevin Carr

Speaker 1: Phil Jeynes, MetLife

Speaker 2: Chris Samuel, iPipeline

Session 1 Panel Debate

• Mark Townsend, Reassured
• Karan Mehta, Blueberry Life
• Joanne Cole, Yavia
• Itumeleng Kgafela, Gen Re

Watch out for the Session 2 Video Replays coming soon.

Silence fell at the Protection Review Dinner & Awards as Mat Waugh told the story of his daughter Kirsty's brain tumour and her determination to raise money for Children with Cancer UK.

And then Kirsty's engaging and emotional video resonated deeply with everyone in the room.

As always, Protection Review had committed to matching your donations up to a maximum of £5000 overall. However, donations on the night almost reached this amount. So, with our contribution added, the total donation is £7500.

That's a remarkable result. Thank you everyone.

To donate to Kirsty’s JustGiving page in aid of Children with Cancer UK, CLICK HERE.

Survey Winner and Charity Donation

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to fill in our survey after the Protection Review Conference, Dinner & Awards.

Our winner of the prize draw was Claire Anam from Beagle Street.

Claire wins £250 of John Lewis vouchers and we've matched that with a donation to her chosen charity, The Jordan Legacy.

Another sensational evening of celebration at the Protection Review Awards. What a great night that was!

It was so good to see you all at the Landmark Hotel for the Dinner & Awards on Thursday 27th November. Wasn't it great to catch up with colleagues and friends over good food and wine?

Here are the Award Winners 2025.

Innovation Award in association with Gen Re

Winner: Royal London

Highly Commended: Reassured

Best New Product/Enhancement in association with Hannover Re UK Life Branch

Winner: Scottish Widows

Highly Commended: National Friendly

Individual Protection Adviser of the Year in association with The Exeter 

Winner: Charlotte Rogers, Radcliffe & Co

Highly Commended: Nathaniel Lee, Business Protected

Health Insurance Adviser of the Year in association with National Friendly

Winner: Lifepoint Healthcare

Best Mortgage and Protection Intermediary in association with AMI

Winner: Mortgage Advice Bureau

Highly Commended: Mortgage 1st & London & Country

Underwriting & Claims Award in association with Reframe Cancer

Winner: The Exeter

Highly Commended: Zurich

Young Achiever Award in association with Zurich 

Winner:  Laura Mitchell, Guardian

Highly Commended: Kevin Mugisha, Vantage Wealth Management & Cameron Erskine, SeventySeven Wealth Management

Best Care & Support Experience in association with CIExpert

Winner: Zurich

Global Development Award in association with INSTANDA

Winner: Qantev

Best Protection Network in association with HSBC Life

Winner: The Openwork Partnership

Highly Commended: St James’s Place

Protection Intermediary of the Year in association with HSBC Life

Winner: Waddle

Highly Commended: Future Proof & Cura

Distribution Impact Award in association with Aviva

Winner: Mortgage Advice Bureau

Best Protection Marketing in association with Quietroom

Winner: Zurich

Highly Commended: Vitality & CIExpert

Protection Journalist of the Year in association with Iress

Winner: Cameron Roberts, COVER magazine

Unsung Hero in association with MetLife

Winner: Steve Berry, The Openwork Partnership

Highly Commended: Jane Irwin, Iress

Doing it Better Award in association with Iress

Winner: London & Country

Personality of the Year in association with Beagle Street 

Winner: Emma Astley

Organisation of the Year

Winner: Zurich

Lifetime Achievement in association with Legal & General

Winner: Margaret Kirby, MBE

In a lively seven hour session, judging day was intense and full of debate.

As usual, due to the sheer number of entries and to keep things simple, we limit each shortlist to a maximum of 6. Please contact us for feedback if you didn’t make the shortlist.

But we have our winners and can't wait to present the awards on 27th November at The Landmark London Hotel.

Thanks to our guest judges, Fi Wynn, Holly Ewing, Tom Baigrie, Meg Kirby, Lizzie Lubczanski, Andy Philo, Angela Barritt, Graham Singleton, Ian Teague, Jason Hurley, Will Wood, Peter Hamilton, Rhys Williams, Moira O'Neill, Jacqui Durbin, Daren Boys, Steph Charman and Alastair Gerrard for your expertise and guidance.

Innovation Award in association with Gen Re

• Royal London
• Guardian
• Reassured
• Legal & General
• iPipeline
• CIExpert & Iress

Underwriting & Claims Award in association with Reframe Cancer

• HSBC Life
• Zurich
• National Friendly
• Royal London
• The Exeter
• Guardian

Individual Protection Adviser of the Year in association with The Exeter

• Rhys Schofield, Peak Mortgages and Protection
• Daniel Atmore, London & Country
• Martin Beckett, London & Country
• Charlotte Rogers, Radcliffe and Co
• Nathaniel Lee, Business Protected
• Scott Fallon, London & Country

Best New Product/Enhancement in association with Hannover Re UK Life Branch

• Scottish Widows
• National Friendly
• Zurich
• Vitality
• Legal & General

Best Protection Network in association with HSBC Life

• The Openwork Partnership
• St James's Place
• Paradigm Protect
• JLM Mortgage Network
• Stonebridge
• Sesame Bankhall Group

Health Insurance Adviser of the Year in association with National Friendly

• Private Medical Insurance Brokers Ltd
• Proactive Medical & Life
• Lifepoint Healthcare
• Brown & Brown Health and Employee Benefits
• Regency Health

Unsung Hero in association with MetLife

• Caroline Payne, Shepherds Friendly
• Suzanne Steed, Reframe Cancer
• Steve Berry, The Openwork Partnership
• Lisa Kelly, LifeSearch
• Antonia Merryfield, Cirencester Friendly
• Jane Irwin, Iress

Best Care & Support Experience in association with CIExpert

• UNUM
• Vitality
• Guardian
• Zurich
• The Exeter
• Aviva

Young Achiever Award in association with Zurich

• Laura Mitchell, Guardian
• Kevin Mugisha, Vantage Wealth Management
• Cameron Erskine, SeventySeven Wealth Management
• Chloe Link, Dynamo
• Declan Maggs, London & Country
• Zoe Mears, iPipeline

Best Protection Marketing in association with Quietroom

• Vitality
• Scottish Widows
• Zurich
• CIExpert
• Holloway Friendly
• Iress

Doing it Better Award in association with Iress

• Shepherds Friendly
• Zurich
• London & Country
• Royal London
• Met Life
• Cirencester Friendly

Global Development Award in association with INSTANDA

• Zurich
• Benekiva
• Qantev

Protection Intermediary of the Year in association with HSBC Life

• Future Proof
• Mortgage Advice Bureau
• Cura
• Waddle
• Business Protected
• Insurance Surgery

Distribution Impact Award in association with Aviva

• Mortgage Advice Bureau
• London & Country
• Reassured
• Howden Life & Health

Best Mortgage & Protection Award in association with AMI

• Mortgage Advice Bureau
• Mortgage 1st
• Barnsdale Financial Management
• Threshold
• The Orchard Practice
• London & Country

Protection Journalist of the Year in association with Iress

• Cameron Roberts, COVER Magazine
• Tabitha Lambie, Protection Reporter
• Momodou Musa Touray, Money Marketing
• Graham Simons, Health & Protection
• Moira O’Neill, Freelance Journalist
• Jaskeet Briah, COVER Magazine

There are no shortlists for the following awards:

Personality of the Year

Organisation of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

See you at The London Landmark Hotel for the Protection Review Dinner & Awards on 27th November 2025.

Judging day is on 1st October and we'll announce the shortlists after that.

List of Award Categories

• Best Mortgage & Protection Intermediary Award
• Distribution Impact Award
• Protection Intermediary of the Year
• Individual Protection Adviser of the Year
• Health Insurance Adviser of the Year
• Underwriting & Claims Award
• Innovation Award
• Best New Product/Enhancement
• Young Achiever Award
• Doing it Better Award
• Best Protection Network
• Unsung Hero Award
• Best Care & Support Experience
• Best Protection Marketing
• Global Development Award
• Personality of the Year
• Protection Journalist of the Year
• Organisation of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

AWARD Criteria

NEW AWARD: Best Mortgage & Protection Intermediary Award

For distribution firms where mortgages are the primary function but where protection plays an important part. We’ll be looking for entries that show a dedication to mortgage and other protection needs including details of how they embed protection into the customer journey and advice process. Entries should include data around protection volumes, mortgage to protection penetration rates, fair value, breadth of product mix and insurer range (e.g. whole of market, restricted), quality metrics (e.g. NTU, CFO, lapse rates) and ongoing customer reviews.

Distribution Impact Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Reassured

This award is for medium to high volume distributors that demonstrate excellent consumer outcomes.

Entries should ideally include:

• evidence of how you are demonstrating fair value and ensuring good outcomes for customers in line with consumer duty
• details of any new measures introduced to further enhance your service/outcomes
• brief information on business volumes for either 2024 and/or the last 12 months (measured by annual premium and/or total number of policies, split by life/CI/IP etc)
• brief information on cancellations and lapses including details of any actions taken to improve customer retention
• entries from advised, non-advised, and aggregator firms are welcome
• medium to high volume is classed as similar or higher than 10,000 cases per year OR c£4m market APE; OR around 200 cases a week
• entries should demonstrate efficiency and robust processes in order to manage high volumes

Protection Intermediary of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Future Proof

This category is for companies, rather than individual people. Which protection intermediary firm has done the most to drive the industry forward? Which adviser firm is the best in the market? Which firm would you recommend to friends and family and which one stands out above all others as the protection intermediary of choice? Note: Entries in this category should ideally include product splits (e.g. % of business written that is Life, CI, IP, PMI etc), the % of business written as indemnity vs non-indemnity, and the % of life cover written in trust.

Individual Protection Adviser of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Karla Edwards, The Protection Parent

This category is for individual advisers, rather than companies. Which individual adviser is not only an excellent protection adviser for their clients but also does more than most to drive the industry forward as well as helping other advisers? If you were buying protection, which person would you want helping you?

Health Insurance Adviser of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Howden Life & Health

Which company has done the most to drive the health insurance industry forward? Who provides the best PMI advice to consumers? Which adviser would you recommend to friends and family for any health insurance related matter?

Underwriting & Claims Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER:  Guardian

Underwriting and claims is combined in one category to recognise and reward innovation and improvements in underwriting, service, and claims management. Which provider has the best underwriting process? Which providers are making the best use of technology in a positive way? Which providers are underwriting fairly and paying claims quickly? Which providers make it easier to write new business? Which companies provide quick and easy access to underwriters? Which companies make fair and appropriate underwriting decisions on a consistent basis?
Note: Entries in this category should ideally include the most recently available claim statistics including paid %s by different product lines (e.g. Life, CI, IP), the number and/or value of claims paid during that year, and the average time to pay claims. Any entries that do not reference claims statistics may be discounted.

Innovation Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Zurich

Which company has been the most innovative across the protection and health insurance market over the last year? Which company has shown the greatest desire to move the industry forward through innovation? Please supply details of which innovation(s) you are referring to when entering along with evidence of their impact.

Best New Product/Enhancement

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Zurich

Which new product or product enhancement, has made the biggest improvement to the industry over the last year? Which has helped customers the most? Which is helping to grow the market the most? Which has helped to raise standards across the industry? We will only consider products or enhancements launched after 1st September 2024 [ED1] for this award.

Young Achiever Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Britney Trussler,

This award is open to anyone working in the protection or health insurance industry who is under 30 at the time of entry. The person should show an outstanding level of knowledge and commitment in their field, supplemented by any notable achievements over the last year. Entries should look beyond the basics of the person’s routine activities.

Doing it Better Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Shepherds Friendly

Our aim is to recognise the company that's getting it right, not only with their products and customer service, but with their commitment to diversity, corporate responsibility, culture, charity, local community and the long-term health and well-being of their people. Entries that demonstrate a strong commitment in many or all these areas will stand a strong chance of winning.

Best Protection Network

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Paradigm Protect

This award seeks to recognise those Networks or Clubs which are working to grow the protection market and improving advice standards in the industry. Why should a protection adviser join your network above others? What evidence can you provide of the impact you have had on the growth of the protection market and how you have contributed to raising standards of advice?

Unsung Hero Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Andy Woollon, Zurich

We are looking to recognise those people making a real difference to consumers and advisers every day who aren’t in senior management, aren’t in the media or public eye, and aren’t well known in the industry. Entries that demonstrate a truly important role in the customer or adviser journey that is making a really positive difference will stand a good chance of winning.

Entries from anyone the judges consider to be ‘high profile’ may be discounted.

Best Care & Support Experience

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The Exeter

This category is for INSURERS to enter and includes the growing range of added value services that are available to customers through their life and health insurance policies. Please state clearly who provides the service(s). Everything from GP services and second opinions, through to counselling, rehabilitation, cancer support and more. How have you engaged advisers and customers to showcase the value and increase take up of your care and support service? How have your services made a difference to customers’ lives? How would you quantify the success of the experience you offer? Where relevant please also evidence the success of your experience with user data rather than just percentage of service take-up.
 

Best Protection Marketing

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Zurich

This award is open to ANY company who has excelled in promoting protection or health insurance to advisers and/or consumers. This includes marketing and/or PR campaigns, social media, events, research, reports & more. The judges will be looking for strong evidence of activity, impact and longevity that has helped to grow the market and/or to better educate/inform advisers or consumers. Campaigns that have continued to run over the last 12 months will be considered – they do not need to be new campaigns that started this year.

Global Development Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Hannover Re

This award is for any firms who have launched a new product, development, campaign or initiative outside of the UK in the last 18 months in the life/health insurance space. The development can be within product development, underwriting, technology or claims areas and the impact should be quantifiable in terms of improvement to business processes, customer outcomes or product features.

The following awards are decided on industry vote and by the judges:

Personality of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Matthew Chapman

Protection Journalist of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Moira O'Neil

Organisation of the Year

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Guardian

Lifetime Achievement Award

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Tom Baigrie