New Zealand’s largest locally owned life insurer, Fidelity Life, has announced the winners of its adviser awards for 2021. The awards are judged by a panel of Fidelity Life executives and have been given out annually since the early 1980s.

Chief distribution officer Adrian Riminton says the awards have evolved over time in response to the expectations of the market.

“A good example is the introduction of the Emerging Adviser of the Year Award three years ago to recognise new talent and encourage others to join our industry,” he says

He explains that the Cary Veenhof Service Award was introduced in memory of Fidelity Life’s business development manager Cary Veenhof who died in June 2018, following a car accident.

“This one’s particularly special for our team as it honours not just Cary himself but his passion for outstanding service and professionalism,” Riminton continues.

“So, when we first launched our customer engagement initiative in 2020, which is based on advisers’ customer satisfaction scores, it was a natural fit for the winning adviser to receive Cary’s award.”

The company, which was founded by adviser Gordon Watson and his wife Shirley in 1973, set up the awards as an acknowledgment of the important work done by the insurance adviser community.

“The awards are all about celebrating our partnerships with advisers and the great work we do together protecting New Zealanders’ way of life,” says Riminton.

The winners are:

• Gordon Watson Trophy: Ross Fowler from Insurance Market, Christchurch.
• Cary Veenhof Service Award: Brett and Niki Stonham from Stonham and Co, Auckland. Awarded to the adviser with the best customer satisfaction scores as identified through Fidelity’s customer engagement initiative.
• Emerging Adviser of the Year Award: Joe Gregory from Discovery Financial, Auckland and Franklin/Counties Manukau. This award recognises emerging talent within the industry. 
• Fidelity Life Trophy: Chris Aynsley from Aynsley and Associates, Canterbury. This award recognises a lifetime of support to Fidelity Life, the industry and community.