ACTUARIAL FIRM

Open to all actuarial firms or internal divisions serving the US captive market. The award looks at firms who demonstrate excellent service, meeting clients’ needs and satisfaction. Judges will be looking for companies whose customers hold in high regard their loss reserving, risk modelling, business planning, forecasting and the development of early warning systems. Specific contributions to professional organisations and specific mention of participation in discussions with regulators to support (or resist) regulatory developments will also be considered.

CAPTIVE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

Open to firms who specialise in healthcare captives or healthcare risks. The judges are looking for examples of firms showing true signs of innovation and depth of understanding of the sector, the client’s needs and regulatory requirements. Contributions and involvement in professional organisations and/or regulatory developments will also be considered. Specific service offerings, service levels and overall success of the business over the last 12 months should also be demonstrated.

CAPTIVE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

This award is open to all captive management firms who currently manage business for US parent companies. Awarding excellence in all areas of captive management we are looking for evidence of business growth by revenue and client numbers, service offering and head count and above all client satisfaction. Judges will look for applicants to demonstrate their diverse product offering and solution based services, advances use of technology, accessibility for clients and initiatives developed or implemented during the judging period. Client testimonials are encouraged.

CAPTIVE MANAGER OF THE YEAR – INDEPENDENT

Open to self-managed captives and captive managers that are not owned by a larger broking or insurance company. Our judges will look for the highest standards of customer care and satisfaction, excellent reporting processes and access to the team. Judges will also be looking for innovative ways to manage your clients risk and insurance structures. The judging panel would also like to see evidence of business growth and key staff playing an active role in industry discussions and setting the agenda for the industry.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT – CUSTOMER CARE

The focus of this award is on the captive management firm demonstrating how its service offering has improved its clients’ business functionality, access to information and reporting. Judges will look for evidence of valued customer care, improved efficiency and knowledge, expertise and accessibility of the team. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT – ENTERPRISE RISK CAPTIVES

Open to managers working with captives making the 831(b) tax election. Entrants will demonstrate a deep understanding of the nuances and sensitivities surrounding ERCs. They will also show a proven track record in working with smaller captives and a strong level of customer care. Judges will be looking for managers who show responsibility in the promotion and structuring of ERCs. Client testimonials are encouraged.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT – GROUP CAPTIVES

This award is open to all firms managing group captives serving US businesses. Entrants should demonstrate examples of clear and bespoke customer service provided to its clients and how effort is made to produce customised solutions. Judges will be looking for examples of innovative group captive programmes and continued attention to client needs.

CAPTIVE PROFESSIONAL

This professional will have excelled in his or her field during the 12 month judging period. Their work will demonstrate innovation, forward thinking and a strong commitment to the US captive insurance industry.

CELL COMPANY INITIATIVE

Open to all cell companies and captive managers facilitating cell captives. The judges are looking for one specific and truly unique use of a cell company to suit a clients' bespoke needs. It may be an initiative made particularly tricky by the regulatory environment of the insured or due to a new type of risk. Cited examples can also include the evolution of a cell company into a single parent captive, although nominations should be clear to only choose one example to submit.

CLAIMS MANAGEMEMENT FIRM

Open to any claims management firm or claims handling division of a business who service captives. Judges will be looking for exceptional quality of service given to claimants whether through routine claims service or following complex issues for specific claims. Developments and use of technology will be considered by our judges.

COLLATERAL SERVICE PROVIDER – LETTER OF CREDIT

This award is open to collateral providers offering Letter of Credit products. The focus is on customer care, client relations, tailoring services to the client’s needs and accessibility. Judges will look for the breadth of service offering, efficiencies and benefits the client has achieved by working with the applicant. Evidence of business growth and increase of market share is also an important factor for our judges to understand. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

COLLATERAL SERVICE PROVIDER – TRUST

This award is open to collateral providers offering Trust products. This award is open to collateral providers offering Letter of Credit products. The focus is on customer care, client relations, tailoring services to the client’s needs and accessibility. Judges will look for the breadth of service offering, efficiencies and benefits the client has achieved by working with the applicant. Evidence of business growth and increase of market share is also an important factor for our judges to understand. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

CPA FIRM

Open to all regulated CPA firms serving US parented captives. Judges will pay particular attention to examples of efficiencies in areas such as GAAP, stat. auditing & tax reporting. They will also look for firms that can show a clear understanding of their client’s specific and unique requirement.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT

This consultant can come from the actuarial, broker, pooling or legal side of the employee benefits ecosystem. They should demonstrate a clear specialism in the area of employee benefits and an ability to work with clients in either the design and implementation of a captive-backed employee benefits programmes and/or the ongoing management and servicing of an employee benefits programme. Detailed examples of projects completed during the judging period and client testimonials are encouraged.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FRONTING NETWORK

This company will be able to demonstrate an extensive network able to front for and service large multinational companies implementing a captive-backed employee benefits insurance programme. The company will also be able to prove a track record in problem solving for clients and being flexible and innovative to meet clients’ needs. Detailed examples of projects completed during the judging period and client testimonials are encouraged.

FRONTING PARTNER – CUSTOMER CARE

This award will focus on client satisfaction with their fronting provider. The fronting company should demonstrate, excellent business functionality, customised arrangements, ease of access to information, reporting, communication and the team and multi-national/state capabilities. Judges will be looking for companies to demonstrate their multi-state/international capabilities, improved efficiency and customer care, expertise and accessibility of the team. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

FRONTING PARTNER – INNOVATION

This award is open to all insurance companies providing fronting services to US-owned captives. Judges will be looking for specific examples of problem solving and tailored fronting programmes to suit the needs of clients. The demonstration of international capabilities is important, however this category is seeking to highlight initiatives that set fronters apart.

INSURANCE COMPANY

Open to all insurers acting specifically within the captive market. The winner of this category will demonstrate excellence across all its captive related services, consistent customer satisfaction, profitable growth, innovation in product delivery and services, setting agenda for major industry issues and a willingness to address the unique needs and challenges faced by captive clients.

INNOVATIVE USE OF AN ART STRUCTURE

Open to all firms who design/manage/consult on ART structures. This award will showcase firms who have displayed creative and innovative design while ensuring effective cover. Evidence of cost benefits, efficiencies, complexity or simplicity of the structure and use of alterative markets such as the capital markets or using the structure as a profit centre will all be considered.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT – CUSTOMER CARE

Open to asset managers and investment advisors. This award will be presented to the firm that best exhibits unrivalled customer care and satisfaction. Delivering strong results through balancing investment risk and return. Evidence of a clear understanding of clients’ specific and unique requirements is essential. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT - INNOVATION

Open to asset managers and investment advisors. This award will be presented to the firm displaying true innovation excellence in investment strategy, unique solutions and services and exceptional performance tailored to individual client’s needs and expectations. New use of technology for reporting and market analysis, particularly if white-labelled will be considered.

OFFSHORE CAPTIVE DOMICILE OF THE YEAR

Open to all offshore captive domiciles with active US parented captives. Judges are looking for evidence of the highest standards of regulation, accessibility, insured care and efficiency. Innovation in regulatory acts passed during the official judging period, the number of new formations and growth in premium written, will also be considered.

OFFSHORE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

Open to law firms in ‘offshore’ jurisdictions servicing US parented captives in the last 12 months. The award recognises contributions to the captive market through legal expertise and innovation, strategic vision and business winning client care. Specific contributions such as participation in discussions with regulators to support (or resist) regulatory developments should be cited in your submission.

ONSHORE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

Open to US law firms servicing captives in the last 12 months. The award recognises contributions to the captive market through legal expertise and innovation, strategic vision and business winning client care. Specific contributions such as participation in discussions with regulators to support (or resist) regulatory developments should be cited in your submission.

REINSURANCE COMPANY

This reinsurance company will be able to demonstrate a substantial book of captive risk and a track-record of working with captive owners. Entrants will show a deep understanding and knowledge of captive arrangements and are encouraged to cite at least one example of innovative programme structuring. Judges will also be looking to commend efficient programmes and reliable claims payment.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL

The winner of this special award will be presented to an individual who has made extraordinary contribution to the success of the US captive industry through their illustrious career. We are not accepting entries to this category. However should you wish to nominate an individual, these will be considered by our panel of judges.

RISK CONSULTING INITIATIVE

Open to any firm conducting risk consulting services. The driver behind the award is to identify innovation in risk consulting over the last 12 months. Judges will look to identify KPI’s from the following: innovation from a particular transaction or deal, developments within new markets/risks, new product development and industry lobbying.

RUN-OFF SPECIALIST

Providing an innovative and efficient approach to managing captives in run-off, entrants should be able to demonstrate to the judges a proven track record of disposing of insurance companies no longer wanted. Management approaches and relationship with the end client will also be considered, as well as success stories. Client testimonials are encouraged for this category.

SUBROGATION SPECIALIST

The judges will be looking for examples of subrogation experts actively seeking out and providing valuable services to captive owners. Demonstration of developing sustainable relationships with clients and how subrogation can be utilised on an ongoing basis alongside an insurance programme will be welcomed. Client testimonials in this category can provide evidence of achievement in this category.

TAX ADVISORY FIRM

Open to all tax advisory firms. The judges will look for excellence in technical tax advice, tax reviews and compliance. Use of software products and capabilities, particularly white-labelled will be considered by our judges.

TECHNOLOGY FIRM

This award will focus on business, administrative processes and innovation. It is open to any firm in the captive insurance market - insurer, intermediary, service provider and technology specialist - that can demonstrate that the application of new software, hardware or information and communications technology has enhanced the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of managing insurance risk placed in a captive, running a captive company or captive management firm. The judges will be looking for evidence of greater efficiency, customer service, lower error rates and effective implementation within agreed budgets and timetables.

US CAPTIVE DOMICILE

Open to all US states with active captive legislation in the US for the entirety of the judging period. Judges are looking for evidence of the highest standards of regulation, accessibility, insured care and efficiency. Innovation in regulatory acts passed during the official judging period, the number of new formations and growth in premium written, will also be considered.


CAPTIVE REINSURANCE INTERMEDIARY/BROKER

Open to all reinsurance intermediaries and brokers that work with US-owned captive insurance companies. Submissions will demonstrate a clear understanding of the unique challenges facing captive owners and an innovative approach to placing and structuring reinsurance programs. Judges will be looking for detailed examples and case studies of successful consulting and placements.