UK Broker Awards - Categories

This special award will be presented to an individual who has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to the success, image or operation of the UK general insurance broking industry.

Nominations are welcome but this award is decided by the chairman following consultation with the whole judging panel.

Open to anyone working in the UK insurance broking industry.

This special award will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the last 12-18 months, whether through the advancement of the organisation that employs them; or the wider broking industry.

The winner could be someone who:

•  Has led a sea change within a business through their strategic vision and/or a successful acquisition.
•  Helped the wider sector through their engagement with stakeholders including regulators and politicians to effect a notable change that benefits the broking industry’s standing in the eyes of the public.

The above may include but is not exclusively about engagement with the trade and national press.

Firms are able to nominate candidates they think fit the criteria.

The judging panel will determine the winner, which will be announced at the Awards ceremony.

This category is open to FCA-regulated general insurance brokers or independent intermediaries in commercial or personal lines who received authorisation/started trading within the last three years (on or after 15 April 2023).

The judges will be looking for a business that can demonstrate success in its short lifetime.

The business may not be significantly profitable or fulfilled its objectives to date, but will need to demonstrate a plan that evidences great future potential.

Open to any outsourcer or third party service provider offering professional, advisory or technical service directly to the broking market. This could include compliance providers, education providers, premium finance houses, law firms, loss assessors, loss adjuster and software providers.

This award is designed to recognise broker partners and the successes of their clients. The judges will be looking for a partner that can demonstrate a combination of one or all of the following:

Evidence a partner has responded innovatively to a demand/demands of the broker market.

Evidence of consistent levels of service and customer satisfaction among broker customers.

Evidence of enhanced business success through their relationship with the broking market.

Testimonials from brokers will help validate an entry.

Open to any teams within an FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a customer-focused claims handling and/or claims management service. Brokers that have worked in partnership with a claims specialist are eligible as well as brokers who have created or enhanced an in-house service.

The winning team will demonstrate a combination of some or all of the following:

•  Evidence of staff engagement with claimants/business partners to keep them informed and up-to-date.
•  The delivery of great customer service such as through innovative use of supply chains and partnerships.
•  Regular thorough reviews of internal systems to the mutual benefit of the entrant and their customer.
•  Examples of a response to a single event/major issue/multiple claims that went beyond business-as-usual.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to all FCA registered insurance brokers.

The theme of underinsurance has been one of the most topical in the insurance space over the last few years, covering both personal, commercial and specialist lines. 

With this in mind the UK Broker Awards has introduced a special award to recognise the work that intermediaries have undertaken to make sure their clients are covered for all eventualities and will not be left out of pocket in the event of a claim. 

The successful entrant will give details proof of the above along with evidence around: 

•  Customer advice/support/education.
•  Innovative approach/es to making sure clients have no coverage gaps.
•  Insurer partner recognition.

Open to FCA registered brokers for whom over 51% of their business is commercial lines.

The judges will be looking for a broker that has excelled in the tough economic environment. This could manifest itself in levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular initiative or the addressing of a particular market need. The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regards to the performance of the business.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The judges will be looking for excellent delivery and a continually improving level of customer service.

Entries must therefore give:

•  Evidence of consistent levels of service and customer satisfaction, whether those customers are in business-to-business or business-to-consumer relationships.
•  Evidence a business has responded innovatively to the changing demands of the market backed by clear standards and validated monitoring of performance.
•  Proof of this impact on overall business including retention levels.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award. 

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The award focuses on the effective use of technology by brokers as part of the wider shift to digitalisation. This includes within the firm, in contact with trading partners and for client facing relationships in either B2C or B2B environments.

Judges will be looking for examples from the following:

•  How a broker has interacted with customers through platforms such as websites, apps and mobile devices.
•  Evidence of enhanced and personalised customer service thanks to the application of technology.
•  Evidence of how a firm has built a platform to respond to future changes such as increased availability of management information, data and AI.
•  Evidence that applying these latest technologies has led to greater efficiency and more profitable business.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

This award is designed to recognise investment and support of ESG – in its many guises - by a broker business. 

The judges will be looking for a broker that can demonstrate a combination of one or all of the following:

•  How a broker boosted ESG within the business with clear and measurable objectives.
•  How a broker has fully embraced the principles of ESG within their operation/s.
•  How the initiative/s was/were part of an overall coherent and integrated approach.
•  How the ESG strategy has played an integral role within the business, contributing to its success.
•  A clear statement of how any ESG initiative/s is aligned with the company or organisation’s strategic and business goals.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to all FCA registered brokers with a specialist HNW focus, dedicated team or subsidiary.

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate a real commitment to meeting specific customer needs and delivering a high quality of service across its HNW business. 

This should be coupled with a proven track record of success in terms of client support; claims assistance, coverage innovation and protecting customers against underinsurance. 

The successful entrant will give details proof of the above along with evidence around: 

•  Growth.
•  Customer satisfaction.
•  Insurer partner recognition.

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category. Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate a product- or market- dedicated team has risen the stakes in terms of sales.

This could be one or a combination of:

•  Demonstrating how a sales team has raised brand awareness, broken into new markets, improved market share and/or enhanced customer loyalty, be that in the B2C or the B2B arenas.
•  Demonstrating how a sales team has connected with specific consumers or the application of data analytics to identify new customers to target. 
•  In all cases entries must include sustained customer engagement rather than short term gains. It will be particularly important to demonstrate the achievement of results against targets.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award. 

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The judges will be looking for a broker in the personal lines arena that has managed to excel despite the on-going tough economic environment.

This should manifest itself in several of the following:

•  Levels of customer service and staff engagement.
•  Levels of growth and profitability.
•  How they have responded to the demands of consumers with a product/scheme/offering relevant to their needs.
•  Use of marketing/technology/social media to increase profitable market share.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate a real commitment to meeting specific customer needs and delivering a high quality of service across its schemes business.

This should be coupled with a proven track record of success in terms of innovative and profitable expansion in existing markets along with development of products or schemes for new markets.

The successful entrant will give evidence of the above along with evidence around:

•  Successful partnership programmes with insurer partners.
•  The ability to market to niche audiences.
•  Growth and customer retention.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to any FCA-regulated general insurance broker or independent intermediary operating in the UK general insurance market.

This award is designed to recognise a broker’s investment and success in becoming an employer of choice with highly regarded management, benefits and a culture that is an envy of others.   

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate a combination of one or all of the following:

•  Investment in staff retention and development.
•  A culture that encourages inclusion, self-belief and personal growth.
•  A management structure that is open, transparent and build on deep seated two-way trust.

The winner will be automatically considered for the overall Insurance Broker of the Year Award.

Open to anyone working in the general insurance broking industry under the age of 30 on the entry deadline of 12 June 2026. 

This award will go to the person who:

•  Has made significant strides in their professional development and career over the past year.
•  Can clearly demonstrate their contribution to the team or department in which he or she works.
•  Can give evidence of commitment to pursuing relevant professional qualifications and an interest in making their mark in the wider market.

All nominations must be made or supported by the person’s departmental or line manager.

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in Scotland.

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category.

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in Northern Ireland.

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category.

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in the ceremonial counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and West Sussex. 

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category. 

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in the ceremonial counties of Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Dorset, Devon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire and Wales

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category. 

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in the ceremonial counties of Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category. 

Open to FCA registered brokers and appointed representatives that predominantly [51% plus] trade in the ceremonial counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Durham, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire [South, West, East Riding of and North].

The judges will be looking for a broker that successful in the local community/ies in which it operates. 

This could manifest itself in high levels of on-going customer service, growth, profitability, introduction of a particular community initiative or the addressing of a particular market need.

The judges will look at the overall performance of the broker but will expect evidence in support of any claims made in regard to the performance of the business. 

The winner will automatically be entered into the Insurance Broker of the Year category. 

This award is open to all FCA regulated insurers and MGAs that partner with brokers to manufacture and then sell delegated authority products/schemes/solutions.

The judges will be looking for an insurer or MGA that can demonstrate how it worked with a broker to create a product/scheme/solution to target a market segment with successful results for both manufacturer and distributor in terms of sales and profitability.

This award will go to the insurer/MGA that:

•  Can demonstrate how it listened to and acted on a broker idea/feedback.
•  Worked with said broker partner to create something unique that meets a client need.
•  Can give evidence of the product/scheme/solution’s success with tangible results.

Open to all mid-corporate insurers.

This broker voted category will canvas the opinions of the Insurance Age readers to find out which Mid-Corporate Insurer they think excels when it comes to overall service, taking everything from regulatory support, training, marketing assistance, products, technology and other solutions into account.

Any interested Mid-Corporate who would like to be considered needs to submit ‘five reasons’ why … they are network of the year.

These ‘5 reasons’ will be published on the UKBA website and brokers will be invited to vote which network they think is the best.

Questions to enter: 

Please list five reasons why you are the Mid-Corporate Insurer of the Year (max 500 words across all points)

Open to all personal lines insurers.

This broker voted category will canvas the opinions of the Insurance Age readers to find out which Personal Lines Insurer they think excels when it comes to overall service, taking everything from regulatory support, training, marketing assistance, products, technology and other solutions into account.

Any interested Personal Lines Insurer who would like to be considered needs to submit ‘five reasons’ why … they are network of the year.

These ‘5 reasons’ will be published on the UKBA website and brokers will be invited to vote which network they think is the best.

Questions to enter: 

Please list five reasons why you are the Personal Lines Insurer of the Year (max 500 words across all points).

Open to all schemes insurers.

This broker voted category will canvas the opinions of the Insurance Age readers to find out which Schemes Insurer they think excels when it comes to overall service, taking everything from regulatory support, training, marketing assistance, products, technology and other solutions into account.

Any interested Schemes Insurer who would like to be considered needs to submit ‘five reasons’ why … they are network of the year.

These ‘5 reasons’ will be published on the UKBA website and brokers will be invited to vote which network they think is the best.

Questions to enter: 

Please list five reasons why you are the Schemes Insurer of the Year (max 500 words across all points).

Open to all SME insurers.

This broker voted category will canvas the opinions of the Insurance Age readers to find out which SME Insurer they think excels when it comes to overall service, taking everything from regulatory support, training, marketing assistance, products, technology and other solutions into account.

Any interested SME Insurer who would like to be considered needs to submit ‘five reasons’ why … they are network of the year.

These ‘5 reasons’ will be published on the UKBA website and brokers will be invited to vote which network they think is the best.

Questions to enter: 

Please list five reasons why you are SME Insurer of the Year (max 500 words across all points).

Open to all networks.

This broker voted category will canvas the opinions of the Insurance Age readers to find out which network they think excels when it comes to overall service, taking everything from regulatory support, training, marketing assistance, products, technology and other solutions into account.

Any interested network who would like to be considered needs to submit ‘five reasons’ why … they are network of the year.

These ‘5 reasons’ will be published on the UKBA website and brokers will be invited to vote which network they think is the best.

Questions to enter: 

Please list five reasons why you are Broker Network of the Year (max 500 words across all points).