Personal Risk Professionals named 2026 PPS Mutual Risk Practice of the Year

Personal Risk Professionals has been named the winner of the 2026 PPS Mutual Risk Practice of the Year Award, a national award determined through an independent judging process recognising excellence in life insurance advice, claims advocacy, client outcomes and industry contribution.

Launched by sponsor and specialist risk insurer PPS Mutual, who distribute solely through financial advisers, the Risk Practice of the Year Award was established to celebrate the vital role advisers play in achieving quality outcomes for Australians and to recognise advice practices where life insurance sits at the core of the business model, culture and client proposition. Open to firms generating more than 50 per cent of annual new business revenue from life insurance-related business, the award assessed performance across customer excellence, commercial strategy, continuous improvement, cultural strength and industry contribution.

Michael Pillemer, CEO of PPS Mutual, said Personal Risk Professionals exemplified the intent and purpose of the award.

“Risk advice has never been more complex or more important. The profession is operating under intense regulatory and operational pressure, yet advisers continue to play a critical role in protecting Australians at their most vulnerable moments.

“In that context, we congratulate Personal Risk Professionals on being named the 2026 PPS Mutual Risk Practice of the Year. While the other finalists showed notable excellence across particular dimensions – namely client and claims advocacy, adviser development and community contribution – the independent panel judged that PRP was the most complete and robust example when assessed against all criteria as a whole. The panel also placed strong weight on PRP’s active involvement in industry association committees, regulator forums, and insurer advisory boards, as well as their participation in parliamentary engagement in Canberra to explain the impact of reforms on advisers and advocate for the strengthening of the profession,” Pillemer continued.

“The judging panel also noted the high calibre of finalists, reflecting the depth of capability and commitment across the specialist risk advice profession and the high standard of advice being delivered nationally,” Pillemer noted.

Mark Everingham, Managing Director and Partner of Personal Risk Professionals, said the award was a reflection of the firm’s values and the trust placed in the team by clients and professional partners.

“Being named PPS Mutual Risk Practice of the Year is an incredibly humbling moment for our entire team. This award represents far more than professional recognition – it reflects the trust our professional partners and clients place in us, particularly at the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and the values that have guided Personal Risk Professionals since day one: hope, kindness, bravery and honesty.

“The advice industry has faced profound change over the past decade – regulatory reform, rising complexity and a growing shortage of specialist risk advisers. To be recognised in this environment reinforces our belief that high-quality life insurance advice, delivered with genuine care and strong claims advocacy, remains critical to protecting Australian families and businesses,” Everingham said.

“We’re deeply proud of our people, our culture and our contribution to strengthening the profession, and we’re excited about the future as we continue to invest in the next generation of specialist risk advisers and raise the standard of advice across our industry,” Everingham concluded.

As part of the award, PRP will participate in Q&A sessions at each event on the Riskinfocus 26 Risk Advice CPD Tour, Australia’s premier life insurance professional development program, sharing insights with advisers nationwide.

PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $3 billion in profits with Members over the last 10 years. PPS Mutual is owned by its Australian Members who share in the profits of the products that they buy.