Financial Services Council spotlights industry excellence with nine winners at FSC Awards 2025

Initiatives tackling economic harm, closing protection gaps, and driving sustainability and innovation have been recognised at the FSC Awards ceremony on 11 September 2025.

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand (FSC) proudly announced the winners of the annual FSC Awards 2025 at its Awards Dinner last night, which closed the FSC25 Conference, Transforming for Tomorrow.

FSC Awards Judge and Chief Executive Officer, Kirk Hope, says the awards celebrate outstanding achievements across the financial services industry, with this year’s submissions highlighting the sector’s breadth and impact, from innovative products and ESG initiatives to community programmes and workplace wellbeing.

“A thriving, robust and sustainable financial services sector is vital for Aotearoa New Zealand’s future. It is essential we recognise and celebrate the people and organisations who drive the industry forward, helping to grow New Zealanders’ financial confidence and wellbeing,” says Hope.

Gail Costa, former Chief Executive Officer at Chubb Life Insurance NZ, has been named the winner of the prestigious Chair’s Award for Service to the Industry, recognising her significant contribution to the advancement, promotion and improvement of the financial services industry in New Zealand across the course of her career.

“I’ve built my career on my genuine belief of the important role that life insurance plays in making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and so it’s a real honour to be recognised by my peers in an industry I care so deeply about,” says Costa.

Good Shepherd New Zealand was awarded the Contribution to Community Award for its Family Violence Economic Harm Service, helping victims of economic abuse recover from financial hardship and supporting $1.1 million in unjust debt being wiped in 2024.

Two new categories were introduced this year, Excellence in ESG and Innovation of the Year, reflecting the sector’s increasing focus on sustainability and transformation through innovation.

ANZ received the Excellence in ESG Award for its leadership in embedding modern slavery prevention into governance, training, and operations, setting new standards for ethical practice and demonstrating tangible impact across its workforce, customers, and communities. Simfuni was recognised with the Innovation Award for transforming outdated insurance systems with a modern, cloud-based platform.

Partners Life won the Excellence in Wellbeing & Inclusion Award for embedding diversity, equity, and care into its culture through initiatives like advanced parental leave and gender equity accreditation, with Anita Los’e winning the Emerging Trailblazer Award for her outstanding leadership in growing group insurance and championing inclusion for Māori and Pasifika communities.

Both Alan Langford and John Crossman were awarded the Workplace Savings Award for their long-standing leadership and governance in superannuation, where their stewardship of major schemes, advocacy for member interests and commitment to regulatory and industry development.

The Team of the Year Award went to the Adviser Learning Transformation Team at Southern Cross Health Insurance for designing and delivering a scalable, compliant, and user-friendly onboarding programme that improved adviser capability, streamlined processes, and enhanced customer outcomes.

“Congratulations to all winners and finalists this year,” adds Hope. “The awards highlight the strength and resilience of the financial sector and are a wonderful opportunity to bring the industry together to celebrate.”

Joining Kirk Hope in presenting the awards were Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Hon Scott Simpson, FSC Chair Rob Flannagan, and award sponsors, at a function held at Cordis, Auckland, proudly supported by PwC New Zealand. 

ENDS

Notes to editor
The judging panel was made up of respected senior professionals from across New Zealand who generously volunteered their time to participate in the process. The panel comprised:

• Kirk Hope – Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services Council
• Rob Flannagan – Chair, Financial Services Council
• Gladys Yeo – Partner, Assurance, PwC New Zealand
• Kris Faafoi – Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Council of New Zealand
• Ingrid Thorn – Executive Director, Swiss Re
• Phillippa Kalisih – Chief Executive Officer, Mercer New Zealand.