The winners of the Annual Life Insurance Excellence Awards have been named, with TAL’s Jo Hetherington walking away with the prestigious ALUCA Life Award.
Now in its 8th year, the industry came together at the Crown, Barangaroo, on Wednesday 11 June for a celebration of excellence, innovation, and dedication within Australia’s life insurance industry.
ALUCA’s CEO, Amanda McKernan, said she was proud to see the industry coming together to celebrate the work they do in life insurance.
“ALUCA’s awards night provides an opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements of all nominees that often happen quietly, behind the scenes,” she said.
Turning to life award winner Hetherington – a former member of the ALUCA board – McKernan said she embodies “…the very best of our industry – integrity and leadership”.
“Her work and influence have left a lasting impact across the industry, inspiring others, and helping to shape the future of life insurance. Jo has set a benchmark for excellence and inspiring all of us to aim higher.”
Hetherington has a background in forensic accounting with expertise across health, underwriting and claims. She has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
ALUCA’s life insurance excellence awards shine a light on the value life insurance underwriting, claims, and rehabilitation professionals contribute to the industry.
2024 award winners are:
- Life Award: Jo Hetherington – TAL
- Leadership Winner: Mary Magallanes – Acenda
- Professional Winner: Melissa Chapman – Australian Retirement Trust (ART)
- Rising Star Winner: Holly Lewis – Allianz
- David Mico Industry Winner: Alicia Gibbs – Swiss Re
- Claims Team Winner: Acenda – TPD Claims Team
- Underwriting Team Winner: Zurich – Aggregator Underwriting Team
- Customer Service Team Winner: Acenda – Early Intervention Team (KickStart),
- Innovation Team Winner: Hannover Re – Electronic Health Records Team,
- Partnership Impact Team Winner: Acenda & EQ Pathology – Project Phoenix
- Best Technology Team Winner: CMS Feature Delivery Squad, Resolution Life Australia
