Fidelity Life announces finalists for its annual adviser awards.
Media release
28 August 2023
New Zealand’s largest locally owned life insurer Fidelity Life has today announced the list of nominees shortlisted for its 2023 adviser awards. The awards celebrate advisers who are consistently delivering good outcomes for customers and upholding high standards within the industry.
Awards across five categories will be presented during Fidelity Life’s Engage conferences taking place next month in Christchurch and Auckland.
Breakthrough Adviser of the Year: Awarded to an up-and-coming adviser (less than 10 years’ industry experience), committed to ongoing education, industry involvement and finding ways to innovate to build a modern financial advice business.
- Kimberley Stevenson, With You Financial Services Ltd – Christchurch
- Kylie Connor, Mainland – Timaru
- Sascha Nettmann, Buffer Insurance – Auckland
- Shakeel Lal, Halo Advisers Ltd – Auckland
- Steve Munro, Risk Direct – Auckland
Cary Veenhof Award: In honour of a former Fidelity Life Business Manager who was cherished by many, this award is given to an adviser who demonstrates strong values, shows respect to insurance partners, and consistently delivers outstanding customer service.
- Amanda Haskins, Amanda Haskins Insurance Solutions – Christchurch
- Anthony Gobbie, Insurance Design – Auckland
- Brett Stonham, Stonham and Co – Auckland
- Tim Lethlean, Delray Group – Christchurch
Team of the Year: Awarded to an advice business with an outstanding strategy, brand and strong leadership team driving excellent advice solutions.
- Adelphi Insurance Brokers, Chris Boon – Christchurch
- Financial Independence, Matt Beattie – Tauranga
- Insure Ltd, Dave Jochem – Christchurch
- Total Life, Craig Kura – Invercargill
In addition, two highly coveted awards will also be presented to hand-picked winners:
Lifetime Award: This award recognises a long-standing adviser (more than 20 years’ experience) who has shown a strong commitment and dedication in giving back to the industry, and celebrates the impact they have made over the course of their distinguished career.
Gordon Watson Trophy: Named after Fidelity Life’s founder, this award is presented to an adviser who champions Fidelity Life’s customer led values, demonstrates remarkable achievements in driving business success, and showcases significant professional and personal growth with a commitment to improving themselves and those around them.
Fidelity Life Chief Sales and Service Officer Bronwyn Kirwan says the annual awards celebrate the amazing work advisers are doing out in the community.
“We know financial advice makes a lasting difference to New Zealanders’ financial wellbeing and our network of advisers are our biggest and most important channel. Advisers play a critical role in the life insurance value chain, supporting customers to make good long-term decisions to protect what’s important to them.
“These awards honour those leading by example and recognise their efforts in building meaningful relationships and finding solutions that meet the needs of customers.
“As we mark our 50th anniversary, we also celebrate our partnerships with advisers since 1973. Our respective achievements and successes are intertwined, and at Engage we’ll be sharing some exciting plans focused on uplifting our adviser experience and setting us up for another 50 years of shared success,” says Bronwyn.
Fidelity Life’s oversubscribed flagship adviser conference, Engage 2023, will be hosted in Christchurch on 12-13 September, followed by Auckland on 20-21 September with both locations being Toitū certified carbonzero events.
A stellar Trans-Tasman speaker line-up was announced in July including Steven Joyce, ex-Senior Cabinet Minister; Kaila Colbin, leadership expert and Founder & CEO of Boma; David Beaton, gin virtuoso and Head of Risk at Via Financial Group; and Jessica Brady, entrepreneur and founder of financial advice businesses The Greenhouse and Evergreen.
