ICIC are proudly supported by W.E. Cox and their sponsorship of the Recognition of Excellence Award. ​

​The workforce of the future is going to be much more of a blend of age, skills, desires and values and the nurturing of creative talent.
​Looking for innovative ways to give individuals the skills to develop, must continue to be of great importance throughout people’s careers.
This award aims to encourage the younger generation to participate in development and education, with a view to furthering their careers. 

Sponsored by W.E. Cox Claims Group and championed by the AIMU (American Institute of Marine Underwriters)
and MICA (Marine and Insurance Claims Association), this award is open to those who are under 35
and have worked within the ​UK / European marine market either in or via Lloyd’s, for at least a year.

Click here for the 2025 Recognition of Excellence Award submission form

​2025 Winner: Leanne Lake 
Claims Manager – Marine, Global Corporate & Specialty, AVIVA.

As strong advocates of the next generation of maritime professionals, W E Cox have kindly been sponsoring the ICIC Recognition of Excellence Award since 2017 where those in the market who are U35, complete a submission to the judges, with the option to take a picture of their definition of cargo. Entries received this year were incredibly interesting and encouraging to see so many young market practitioners keen to participate in this prestigious competition.
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This year’s winning entry from Leanne Lake, Claims Manager – Marine, Global Corporate & Specialty, AVIVA impressed the judges not only with her artistic talents but her dedication to industry education and learning for the nextgen along with her marine committee work. Many congratulations, Leanne!
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Surprised at winning the award, Leanne said: “As a young claim’s professional, I’m constantly seeking out the knowledge and experience that exists across the market. My aim is to tap into this wealth of insight and collaborate with key market players to create engaging, accessible educational content, not just for others, but for myself as well.”
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Leanne’s winning photo was added to the cover of the ICIC 2025 Brochure, menu card and Welcome Banner. She will be travelling with W E Cox to the MICA Dinner, in October, taking place in NYC as part of her prize, networking with the US and international maritime markets as well as attending the AIMU Marine Conference.

​2024 Winner: Henry Bugden
Snr Energy and Marine Claims Adjuster, Ascot Lloyd’s Syndicate 1414/5325.
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Many congrats to Henry Bugden on winning the 2024 Recognition of Excellence Award at ICIC this year. Henry attended ICIC this year for the first time, participated on a panel session and is jetting off to NYC in October to attend the legendary MICA Dinner with W E Cox - all part of the Recognition of Excellence prize!
 
On winning, Henry said…”I was genuinely surprised and extremely grateful to receive the award. It’s really nice to be rewarded for doing something different and has certainly made me think more about what cargo means to me in everyday life! Cargo is obviously critical to our existence, so to be recognised for contributing to that is really cool.

Jodie Watson and Michael Cox

2023 Winner: Jodie Watson, Claims Adjuster, Brit Insurance.  

Attending her first ever ICIC was an exceptional experience for Jodie – not only as a delegate but as the recipient of 2023 ICIC WE Cox Recognition of Excellence Award. 

Jodie’s winning photo of Mokola Market in Ghana depicted a vibrant array of goods, as she described “In Ghana, Cargo acts as a force that brings people together, creating a sense of family and togetherness, it provides a source of activity and entertainment for all those around!”

As the Award winner, Jodie participated in the final ICIC agenda session: The “Generation Game” where participants spoke about their favourite games – Jodie favoured Connect 4 – in relation to risk and how they view this in their work. 
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Since joining the market in 2020 on the Brit Graduate Claims Scheme, Jodie has been promoted to a claims adjuster, she tells us  “I thoroughly enjoys adjusting complex cargo claims with a strong interest in Project Cargo and Storage insurance.”

Daniel Kirk and David Cox

​​2019 Award Winner: Daniel Kirk (Senior Claims Executive, RKH Specialty

​Having won the 2019 W.E. Cox Recognition of Excellence Award 'Capturing Cargo', involving both a photographic and written entry, Daniel Kirk (Senior Claims Executive, RKH Specialty) is pictured here (right) being presented the award by David Cox ​(Chairman, W.E. Cox Claims Group).  

​Commenting on the benefits of receiving the award Dan said: "After having been in the insurance market for
​5 years at the time I was keen to invest more in my future career. I came across the ICIC award and thought that the competition and its ultimate prize was a great way of showcasing young talent and furthering my experience within the International Market. The opportunity for exposure to a wide cross section of the industry is invaluable, I was thus over the moon when I was told that I had won. Through the prize, I attended ICIC 2019 and was flown out to New York for the AIMU Conference and MICA Dinner where I developed a strong base of business relations that I still rely upon today. The conferences also highlighted current issues affecting the Cargo industry that have enabled me to approach claims with a fuller understanding and as a whole been beneficial to my appreciation of the ever-changing risks at hand. Since having won the award, I have progressed in my position within the Cargo Claims team at Howden Specialty and was promoted to Associate Director soon after. I thoroughly enjoy my job and the ability to have a positive impact on the claims lifecycle is second to none."

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Kathleen Igoe and David Cox

​2018 Award Winner: Kathleen Igoe ACII Associate (Marine & Cargo Account Handler, JLT Specialty Limited

​The 2018 W.E. Cox Recognition of Excellence Award was won by Kathleen Igoe ACII Associate (Marine & Cargo Account Handler, JLT Specialty Limited. The Award was presented by David Cox (Chairman at W.E. Cox Claims Group). ​

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Michael Cox and Alex O'Brien

 
2017 Award Winner: Alex O'Brien (Chubb)
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The 2017 W.E. Cox Recognition of Excellence Award was won by Alex O'Brien (Chubb), who was presented with his award by Michael Cox (Managing Director, W.E. Cox Claims Group) at ICIC 2017. Alex participated on the U35's panel and is pictured right with the 2017 AIMU ​Award Winner Jacqueline Nolan (Claims Specialist, CNA) (below, centre).

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Jacqueline Nolan (centre) and Alex O'Brien (right)

​The Judge’s decision is final. 
ICIC accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to the provision of the prize nor any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property occurring during or as a result of the receipt of the prize, including the travel or accommodation, offered by W.E. Cox Claims Group as part of this prize.
ICIC is a not for profit company