The Frank Earl Award - Sponsored by Lee & Lyons Lawyers

About the Award

• Frank Earl personified HONESTY, INTEGRITY and TRANSPARENCY in his exemplary career.  He considered these to be the core characteristics fundamental not only to individual success but to that of this distinguished industry as a whole.Accordingly, these core characteristics form the key criteria for evaluation of nominees for the APIG Frank Earl Award
• The three finalists, EwenMckay, Robert Beaton and Mike Prickett were chosen from a nomination process involving both APIG state branches and the National Committee.
• The deserved recipient of the Frank Earl Award received a trophy in recognition from APIG and peers for the contibutions they have made throughout their career & will be flying to San Deigo in November to attend the PLUS Conference, an International Professional Liability Conference.
• This year’s sponsor of the Frank Earl Award, David Lee from Lee & Lyons Law firm presented the award to the winner for 2011.

About the Winner

• Robert Beaton, retired in early 2011 after 35 years specialising in professional indemnity insurance - and prior that eight years in Architecture (while studying part time).
• Robert joined Swiss Re (the local branch then known as Australian Re) in February 1976, after completing a double degree in Architecture and graduating with honours. The thesis associated with his honours degree focused on Architects professional liability. The thesis, and it's accompanying summary of the law on the subject, was published in two titles by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA).
• At that time, the professional indemnity insurance group scheme for architects was undergoing a transformation, with the broking transferring from Minet to an RAIA captive broker and with the insurer changing from a London led arrangement to a local company -T&G Fire.  Australian Re (Swiss Re), by whom Robert was employed, was the reinsurer of that scheme.
• In the 70’s, Robert was principally involved with managing PI claims, in the beginning for architects but later for all occupations.
• Robert was seconded by Swiss Re into PIUA and was then appointed to set up the Sydney office to develop and write business in NSW, QLD and NZ.
• In about 2000, Robert became the National PI Underwriting Manager for CGU and subsequently in 2002, the National Professional Risks Product and Underwriting Manager, with responsibility for all Professional Risks products and underwriting at CGU.
• Robert was a recognized expert in new and cutting edge professional risks covers. In this respect in late in 2006 Robert developed the CGU Alliance Project PI policy and underwriting guidelines.
• In the mid 90's Robert was instrumental in the establishment of an industry committee to develop co-ordinated submissions to the Federal Government in response to the effect of the East End court decision on the viability of Claims Made insurance policies. This committee was subsequently transferred to ICA oversight - and became the ICA Standing Committee on Professional Risks. Robert became Chairman of this committee in 2003 and continued as chairman until he stood down in 2010, pending his retirement.
• In addition to his involvement with the ICA committee, Robert was appointed to the following bodies:

  - Professional Standards Councils (Federated Statutory Body) - Council Member of each State Professional Standards Council since 2005 - current

  - Steering Committee of the APRA  NCPD (National Claims & Policies Database) at it's inception; and subsequently the NCPD User Group Committee.

  - NSW Committee of AILA (Australian Insurance Law Association) from 2002 to 2010.