Andre Brooks wins The Insurance Apprentice 2016 title

Andre Brooks, Account Manager at Price Forbes

Viewers have been captivated by the second series of The Insurance Apprentice in which eight apprentice, boiled down to six, battled it out to win the title of The Insurance Apprentice 2016.

The announcement of the winner took place on 14 April at a star studded event at Hollard’s Villa Arcadia when Andre Brooks, Account Manager at Price Forbes was announced as the winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2016.

Setting the scene

The evening started off with Rianet Whitehead, Editor of FAnews introducing the guest speaker for the evening, Graeme Smith, who touched upon his career as a former South African cricketer and former captain of the South African cricket team.

Smith pointed out to the apprentices that cricket, like all competitions, requires strength, character, perseverance and team work.

In wishing the apprentices luck, Whitehead reminded the apprentices that in every competition there can only be one winner.

Having said that, Whitehead introduced Judge Vuyo Lee, Group Executive; Brand and Corporate Affairs at MMI Holdings who explained the judging criteria and process of the filming week to give the sponsors and guests a clear view of what happens behind the scenes. In pointing this out, Lee reminded the audience that they see 30 minutes of a whole day of action and might not get to see critical footage.

FAnews would like to thank Hollard for sponsoring and hosting the event and Momentum for sponsoring the guest speaker. 

Watch it here

Whitehead then proceeded with the announcement of the top three candidates, in no particular order – Alicia Narainsamy, Andre Brooks and Chris Caalsen. 

Setting the scene with dramatic music in the background, and total silence, Brooks was then announced as the winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2016. 

John Sibanda, General Representative of Lloyd's South Africa handed Brooks his prize of a trip to Lloyds of London, sponsored by Lloyds of London and Nadia Starr, Learning Division Manager at Inseta presented him with a bursary, sponsored by Inseta, to study the course of his choice. 

When asked how he feels about being the 2016 Insurance Apprentice winner, Brooks said “It is an absolute surreal experience. I am extremely humbled and overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I received from friends, family and peers after the announcement was made. I am truly chuffed that I achieved my goal despite being up against very stiff competition.” 

Watch the final episode, sponsored by PWV Insurance Brokers, ‘Announcing the winner’ 

Congratulations in order

FAnews would like to congratulate Brooks on winning the title of The Insurance Apprentice 2016 and all the finalists; Alicia Narainsamy (Auto & General), Celina Bhima (Hollard), Chris Caalsen (ACE Insurance), Karabo Kopeka (Hollard) and Unathi Ntengo (Marsh Africa) for undergoing tough challenges and for proving that they are the insurance industry’s young talent and cream of the crop.

“Your perseverance and desire for success have put you all a cut above the rest! With determination, passion and ambition, the sky is the limit,” said Whitehead.

Thanks to Milpark Education, Narainsamy, Bhima, Caalsen, Kopeka and Ntengo walked away with an opportunity to study any one of Milpark’s online short-courses. 

Joining the finalists were Priya Govender (Mutual and Federal) and Richard Cunliffe (AON Benfield), both of whom were voted off early on in the competition. 

A word of thanks

We would like to thank all the sponsors for their sponsorship and support of The Insurance Apprentice 2016. Each and every one of you played a significant rolein this initiative from the beginning.

Without you, the series would not have been possible, and we cannot begin to say THANK YOU enough.

The sponsors are ACE Insurance South Africa, Aon South Africa, Centriq Insurance, CN&CO, FNB Insurance Brokers, Hollard, Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), Innovation Group, Inseta, Insure Group, Lloyds of London, Marsh Africa, Milpark Education, MUA Insurance Acceptance, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, Price Forbes, PWV Insurance Brokers, Sasria, Smashbox South Africa and SHA Specialist Underwriters.

Previous episodes

Did you miss one of The Insurance Apprentice episodes? Watch it: 

1.     Episode one: Meet the 2016 apprentices  
2.     Episode two: Litigation Risk- Part 1 and Part 2
3.     Episode three: Policy Renewal- Part 1 and Part 2
4.     Episode four: Understanding our customers – Part 1 and Part 2
5.     Episode five: Risk Assessment - Part 1 and Part 2
6.     Episode six: Insurance as a career- Part 1 and Part 2