Auckland, 11 November 2016 – A people strategy that focuses on the equality of all employees has paid off for AA Insurance as it was presented with the Women’s Employer and Youth Development Employer of the Year at the 2016 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards last night.
“These awards are a wonderful recognition of our diverse and supportive employment and people strategies,” says Nikki Howell, Head of People and Capability, at AA Insurance. “It also recognises the amazing people we have at AA Insurance and the collective passion we have to help our customers.
“At AA Insurance we don’t actively focus on gender or age, instead we find the right person for the role, and only recruit on the basis of skills, knowledge, competency and alignment with our values. As a result of this, the ratio of women to men is favourable at all levels of the business, including a 50/50 spilt in the executive team. It also means that 70% of our workforce is under 35 years, such as the majority of our middle management team.”
The awards are held by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF), as a celebration of success across the industry.
It was AA Insurance’s first-time entry for the Women’s Employer award, which recognises the efforts of organisations that have demonstrated a commitment, and taken positive steps, to improving gender equality and diversity within their company and the industry. The Youth award, which was a new category this year, recognises organisations that have shown a commitment to the employment and development of young insurance and finance professionals.
“To be honoured with these awards is really an acknowledgment of our inclusive and supportive workplace, where equality and diversity is encouraged, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of it,” she says.
ENDS
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance is a New Zealand-based joint venture between Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited and the New Zealand Automobile Association Limited ('NZAA'). Vero is owned by Suncorp Group Limited, a listed Australian company. NZAA is an incorporated society that is governed by a National Council and Board. Since 1994 we have provided home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand and in 2018 we introduced small business insurance.
We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our New Zealand-based teams looks after 560,000+ customers with more than 1,100,000 policies. Standard and Poor's (Australia) Pty Ltd has given us an Insurer Financial Strength Rating of AA- (Very Strong).
We are consistently recognised in industry awards and honours. This includes being voted the Reader's Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for 14 years running, named Canstar's 2023-2024 Outstanding Value Award winner for Home and Contents insurance and ranked 6th among 50 of New Zealand's top consumer-facing corporates in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index in 2024.
Find out more at www.aainsurance.co.nz
For more information please contact:
AA Insurance Media Team
mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz
