Delta Insurance co-founder Craig Kirk was named NZ Insurance Industry Leader of the Year at the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance Awards, as the firm secured the Underwriting Agency of the Year prize.
The niche insurer secured the latter award for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, senior underwriter Miro Dordevich made it to the finals in the Young Professional of the Year category.
The ANZIFF awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies across all sectors of insurance and celebrate the positive impact they have made on the community.
Kirk, Delta’s group executive director for underwriting, said he was humbled by the honour.
“With the quality of leadership across ANZ in this industry, I am humbled by receiving this award. I’d like to acknowledge my peers and the entire Delta Insurance company. We work together as a team and we win as a team.”
Judges recognised Kirk for his work in reviewing Delta’s underwriting policy, aligning it with the company’s vision of embracing change, making the world a safer place, and its core value of doing the right thing.
Kirk said Delta was keen to drive positive change.
“Our company is willing to forgo business opportunities for the sake of protecting the Delta brand; across all lines of business, our underwriting decisions take into consideration the potential reputational implications of any unmitigated ESG concerns,” he explains.
Kirk acknowledged the tough year ahead.
“We’ve faced and overcome serious hurdles within our business over recent years which haven’t been easy on our team or our leadership group. I’ve certainly learnt a huge amount throughout this period, and I want to thank our amazing team for believing in our vision and plan as we transition into the next chapter of our journey.”
Delta said young professional finalist Dordevich was recognised for his unique approach to underwriting and commitment to working with broker partners and clients in a tripartite alliance.
Dordevich said: “In niche insuring, maintaining close contact with all parties achieves the best results. We can only offset risk if we engage closely, understand clearly, and build relationships of trust. Our clients are always innovating, and as insurers sharing the risks involved on the cutting edge, we play a part in driving the world forward. After all, innovation and risk go hand in hand; when organisations and individuals can offset risk with insurance, their horizons expand.”
