Annual Dinner 2022

The long-awaited annual dinner hosted by the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk and North Essex took place on Friday 22^nd April 2022. Prior to our AGM, this is a key social event of the year, where our members and guests come together to be entertained, network and most importantly, celebrate the achievements of those members who have been awarded prizes for outstanding academic achievement and professional excellence. After 2.5 years wait due to the global pandemic, the dinner went ahead at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall and was a night to remember! It was wonderful to be able to come together again after such a long time.

The April showers stayed away and we were even blessed with some sunshine. The venue was absolutely spectacular and the team at Milsoms really pulled out all the stops. Whilst guests enjoyed their welcome drinks, in the evening sun, the atmosphere and setting were perfect.

Our thanks go to our kind sponsors; Employment Specialists Ltd, Willis Tower Watson, McLarens and Hiscox, without whom the evening would not have been possible.

We were honoured to host an amazing group of top table guests and we thank them for their support and company on the evening.

Left to Right; Mark Bramall, Sally Bramall (Charity patrons of Lizzie’s Fund), Neil Dennis (guest of Sarah Deacon), Sarah Deacon (Immediate Past President), Victoria Rankine (guest of Laura Blyth), Jonathan Clark (Chief Executive, Chartered Insurance Institute), Laura Blyth (President of the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex), Nathan Harvey (Deputy President of the Insurance Institute of Ipswich, Suffolk & North Essex), Nick Carson (President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Cambridge), April Stowers (Deputy President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Norwich), Robert Walne (Chair, Norfolk PFS) and Paul Hill (President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Chelmsford).

Two of our top table guests both gave inspiring speeches on the night.

Jonathan Clark, Chartered Insurance Institute Chief Executive, spoke about the changes to the industry and an insight into the future roles of intermediaries and Sally Bramall, who spoke so bravely about the loss of her wonderful daughter Lizzie and ‘Lizzie’s Fund’, the charity set up in her honour and the wonderful work they do to support 'The Brain Tumour Charity'.

Following a delicious three course meal (with cheese naturally!) we were excited to award the 2022 prizes. We have a large number of members sitting exams each year and often working towards them alongside several other commitments. Recognising and celebrating their achievements is hugely important. This year the awards went to:

• Jake Mower - Taylor Prize for best overall results in Advanced Diploma in General Insurance
• Matthew Barratt - Ivan Howlett Prize for best overall results in Diploma in General Insurance
• Holly Voller - Ina Barker Prize for best result in a Risk Management paper
• Shannon Adams - Harry Theed Cup for best result in a Motor paper
• Daniel Parish - Award for Fellowship in Financial Planning
• Samuel Brett - Award for best results in the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
• Niall Heath - Award for best results in the Diploma in Financial Planning
• Kimberley Gavin - Mortgage Award for best result in a Mortgage Paper
• Rhyanne Sefton - Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30 – Shortlisted
• Georgia Whayman - Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30 – Shortlisted
• Hazel Carless Gordon Warren Young Achiever Award for high achievement under age 30
• Oliver Watson - Prize Committee Prize, discretionary award for excellence or achievement that wouldn’t otherwise be recognised
• Rhyanne Sefton - Prize Committee Prize, discretionary award for excellence or achievement that wouldn’t otherwise be recognised

Our President had chosen to support two wonderful causes for this year’s charitable donations which were ‘Lizzie’s Fund’ and ‘Fabba Theatre Group.

We held a raffle with amazing prizes donated from some very kind local businesses and individuals as well as a game of ‘Head and Tails ‘ to raise as much as we could for these two very deserving causes. We are so happy to confirm that we have raised over £2000.00 which will be split between Fabba and Lizzie’s Fund! Thank you to everyone who kindly donated!

Please feel free to click on the below links to donate further and for your chance to win a limited edition Ed Sheeran tea cosy!

Fabba - Justgiving page

Lizzie's Fund - Justgiving page

Ed Sheeran raffle!

The venue, delicious menu, amazing entertainment and fantastic atmosphere, made for a very successful 2022 annual dinner.

We enjoyed it very much and hope our guests did too. Thank you once again to our top table guests, kind sponsors, council members and all of our members and guests for their continued support.

We have lots of wonderful photos of the evening, which we will share in the coming weeks. Should you not wish your photo to be made public, please contact our dinner secretary.

Our 2023 dinner will be held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall on Friday 21st April.

Early bird tickets will go on sale soon!

Please email our dinner secretary cassie.watts@mclarens.com for all dinner-related enquiries.