Four of the health insurance and protection industry’s most widely respected professionals have been confirmed as new members of the judging panel for this year’s Health Insurance Awards.
Irene Gallimore, Joanne Hindle, Steve Walker and Philip Wright will all be judging shortlisted entries for the much sought-after Intermediary Awards, which celebrate and reward excellence in the field of health insurance and protection advice and consulting.
With vast, in depth knowledge of the workings of both the corporate and consumer sectors, the new judges join regular Awards stalwarts Andy Couchman, technical editor of Health Insurance and director of Bank House Communications, Ron Wheatcroft, technical manager of Swiss Re Life & Health and Peter Le Beau, Health Insurance columnist and director of Le Beau Visage. David Gulland, formerly of Deloitte and now assistant general manager at RGA, is a long standing member of the judging panel and has kindly agreed to carry on his work this year. Nick Kirwan, head of health and protection at the Association of British Insurers – and a previous winner of the Health Insurance Personality of the Year Award – joins the panel for the second time, after first joining last year. Branko Bjelobaba, compliance consultant and director of Branko Ltd, also returns to the panel to cast an eye over the regulatory competence of entrants. Health Insurance is also hugely grateful to Estelle Howell, senior manager at actuarial and consulting giant Deloitte – the organisation which is independently overseeing the voting process for the Health Insurance Provider Awards – who is also taking time out to add her expertise to the process.
Health Insurance editor David Sawers said he was “thrilled” that such highly respected industry professionals were adding their expertise to the already “hugely experienced” panel.
“I’m delighted that Irene, Joanne, Phillip and Steve are joining the judging process,” he said. “The panel already consists of some of the most respected and independent figures from the industry. But the expertise being generously offered by the new judges means that the panel can represent the interest and concerns of this diverse profession perfectly, from the world of large corporate healthcare right through to the workings of the consumer protection industry.
“Intermediaries of all sizes and types should feel even more inspired to enter. As usual, they can rest assured that their entries are being judged by the very best – and the fairest and most independent – in the business. The panel has got no axe to grind and no party line to tow. It’s got one simple remit – and that’s to recognise the very best in financial advice and consulting.”
THE FOUR NEW JUDGES FOR THE INTERMEDIARY AWARDS
IRENE GALLIMORE Consultant and owner, Irene Gallimore Consulting Irene’s 30-year career in healthcare started at Medisure, before moving through acquisition, to Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Healthcare and then to Mercer. She took early retirement and set up her own consulting business two and a half years ago.
STEPHEN WALKER Former chairman, Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries Stephen is a director of Medical Insurance Services, with 19 years experience working in the SME and individual private medical insurance market. He was a founder member of the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) and was elected chairman of the association in February 2004, before standing down in March 2007. Stephen was named Health Insurance Personality of the Year for 2000.
JOANNE HINDLE Consultant to the financial services industry Joanne has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years in a variety of roles including the first chief executive of IFA Promotion, director of pensions’ development for NatWest Life and most recently as a board director of disability insurer Unum.
PHILIPWRIGHT Head of healthcare, UK & Ireland, Munich Re Philip has responsibility for the strategic development and management of Munich Re’s UK and Ireland healthcare portfolio. As well as time at Bupa he spent over 10 years at Standard Life Healthcare in senior and board level positions. Philip has extensive experience in sales, marketing, product development and the operational side of health insurers having been both sales and corporate services director at Standard Life Healthcare.