Fidelity Life has named the winners of this year’s adviser awards, honouring those who prioritise customer outcomes and consistently provide expert care and guidance to meet the life insurance needs of New Zealanders.
The awards were presented at Fidelity Life’s flagship adviser event Engage, which this year took place in Christchurch and Auckland on 12-13 and 20-21 September respectively.
The 2023 Fidelity Life adviser award winners are:
Breakthrough Adviser of the Year: Kylie Connor, Mainland – Timaru.
Awarded to the adviser who is modernising their financial advice business and continuing to upskill and be involved in the wider industry.
Award judges say Connor provides holistic and tailored advice solutions that are fit-for purpose, simple to follow and breaks down the advice and insurance process so customers can easily digest it at every stage.
Cary Veenhof Award: Anthony Gobbie, Insurance Design – Auckland.
In honour of a former Fidelity Life Business Manager, and awarded to the adviser who has strong values, shows respect to insurance partners, and consistently delivers outstanding customer service.
The Fidelity Life Cary Veenhof Award winner is Anthony Gobbie (centre)..
Anthony won the award for providing exceptional long-term service to his customers, reflected in his customer relationship NPS of +80, he is consistently towards the top of Fidelity Life’s scoreboard.
Team of the Year: Total Life, led by Craig Kura – Invercargill.
Total Life, under Craig’s stewardship, has become a business with a national presence, providing staff with a clear vision and exceptional support to set them up for success, say the award judges.
Fidelity Life says Total Life has a strong presence in its community, partnering with local businesses and associations to create a positive social impact, sponsoring events such as the Kids Day Out Variety Show for Heart Kids Southland, Surfing for Farmers, and Total Life Kids TRYathlon.
Lifetime Award: Maurice Trapp, Maurice Trapp Group, Auckland.
Awarded to an adviser with more than 20 years’ experience, and who has shown a strong commitment to the industry, Trapp is a true industry stalwart, say award judges. Starting out as an adviser in the 1980s, he has actively recruited and mentored many new entrants, with his namesake business now employing more than 80 staff.
Gordon Watson Trophy: Brett Pearce, Pearce Financial Services, Auckland.
In honour of Fidelity Life’s founder, this award is given to an adviser who champions the company’s customer-led values.
Judges say that following in his grandfather’s, father’s and uncles’ footsteps, Pearce’s pedigree and passion for the industry sees him keep up to date with new developments and be a reliable source of information to his customers.
“Brett uses his extensive experience to expertly guide and inform customers on appropriate insurance protection,” say award judges.
Fidelity Life Chief Sales and Service Officer Bronwyn Kirwan says the awards recognise the valuable partnership Fidelity Life enjoys with advisers.
“Advisers have been a central part of Fidelity Life’s story since our inception in 1973. Coming together at Engage to celebrate our respective successes and share our exciting plans to build on that success moving forwards is something we very much treasure.
“A huge congratulations to all our award winners. We’re so grateful to have an amazing network of advisers who are just as committed as us to ensuring New Zealanders have appropriate insurance protection in place, giving them certainty to enjoy a more rewarding life. ”