General Insurer of the year

Open to companies that have set out a coherent development strategy, highlighting product innovation, response to customer needs and enhanced quality of service. Successful management of change and proven ability to meet the demands of the market, will also feature in the winning entry.

The Training Award

The winner of this award must be able to demonstrate how their organisation has successfully implemented an internal training programme either across the company or to meet a specific need. The judges will be looking for evidence of the strategic role of the training together with evidence of benchmarking against external standards. Entries should also highlight how the training programme encouraged further progression and contributed to business success.

Commercial Lines Broker of the year

Open to all insurance brokers and independent intermediaries. Entrants should focus on product and service innovation and on all-round service to clients. This could include the development of long-term relationships with clients, niche markets and insurers, identifying and effectively addressing special needs in the market or extending the range of added-value support services offered to clients. The judges will also expect to see evidence of clear, targeted planning and effective measurement of success within the context of profitable growth.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Open to all companies in the insurance industry that have demonstrated a commitment to society. This might be a commitment to young people, charity or public safety. Judges will be looking for initiatives that enhance the reputation of the company and the insurance industry in general in the eyes of consumers. Entrants should demonstrate a belief in humanitarian values in a manner that goes beyond the requirements of the financial bottom line.

Regulator’s Initiative of the year

The winner of this award will be a regulatory / supervisory individual or team responsible for excellent formulation or enforcement of insurance standards in their jurisdiction or a distinguished year of achievement. The winner might have helped to change the face of insurance in their jurisdiction and set an example of best practice. Judges will be especially keen to recognise any regulators who have had a broad-ranging influence on other jurisdictions or regulators in the region.

Public awareness campaign of the year

Open to any organisation which has succeeded in educating the public or the business community about the importance of insurance or risk management. Judges will be especially keen to see evidence of initiatives which have: helped in recruiting young people to the insurance industry; encouraged more insurance to be purchased; or promoted the application of risk management practices. An effective public awareness campaign can come as part of a link with educational authorities or NGOs, or as part of a wider marketing campaign.

Life Insurer of the year

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate a commitment to meeting customer needs and delivering a high quality of service across all of its activities as part of a broad strategic vision. This should be coupled with a proven track record of success in terms of innovative and profitable expansion, either in existing markets or new markets.

The E-business award

This will focus on the effective use of information and communications technology at the transaction interface with the client, whether that is in a business-to-consumer relationship or a business-to-business relationship. The innovative application of the latest technologies and evidence of success in generating profitable new business will be among the key features sought. The judges will also be looking for evidence of enhanced customer service.

Personal Lines Broker of the year

Open to all insurance brokers and independent intermediaries. Entrants should demonstrate how they responded to demands of consumers for products relevant to their needs coupled with top-quality service. The entrant might be a large firm offering a broad range of products or a specialist intermediary focusing on a niche market. The judges will be assessing product and service innovation in the context of profitable growth. Other key factors will be skills in marketing and staff development.

Medical Insurer of the year

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate a commitment to meeting diverse customer needs and a coherent development strategy alongside a proven track record of product innovation. Customer needs lie at the heart of this category and the manner in which the insurer responds to those needs is as essential as evidence that the company is meeting the demands of the market, the regulators, is following international best practice, and is being proactive in the implementation and interaction of new market regulations.

Reinsurer of the year

The winner of this award will have demonstrated a strong commitment to the development of the Middle East insurance industry and meeting the needs of their cedants as true business partners. This should be coupled with a proven track record of success and growth across the region.

Takaful operator of the year

The winner of this award will have demonstrated a coherent development strategy, highlighting product innovation, response to customer needs and enhanced quality of service. The judges will focus on evidence of pro-active development of the takaful market and commitment to operating on Islamic principles.

Third Party Administrator of the year

Entrants should provide tangible evidence of superior service levels and the efficiency of their administrative operations. Judges will look at the strength of network arrangements, innovative practice and claims management.

Technology vendor of the year

This award is in recognition of companies that have broadened the possibilities of their business partners and enhanced operational efficiency or customer service levels. Judges will look for measurable results and case studies from within the region.

Reinsurance broker of the year

The judges will be looking for a broker that demonstrates how it goes the extra mile to meet the needs of its clients. A proven track record of growth and success in the Middle East will be demonstrated, as well as the ability to meet the needs of clients throughout the region.