It was a wonderful surprise to receive the award and to meet Marius Barnard’s daughter. Critical Illness Cover is such an important financial protection that everyone should consider.
CIExpert
We’re incredibly proud to announce that our very own Alan Lakey was honoured with the prestigious Dr. Marius Barnard Award last night at the Scottish Widows Recognition Event.
This award celebrates individuals whose passion and dedication to the protection market mirror that of Dr. Marius Barnard—the visionary behind Critical Illness Cover. Alan’s unwavering commitment to improving protection advice and enhancing consumer outcomes has shaped the industry in countless ways, and we couldn’t be prouder to see him celebrated for his outstanding contributions.
Alan Lakey, director at Highclere Financial Services and CIExpert, received the award from Naudene Leisegang, daughter of Dr. Barnard, during a ceremony held at The Gherkin in London. The recognition was a “wonderful surprise” for Alan, who has dedicated decades to pushing for higher standards and innovation in critical illness cover.
Rose St Louis, Scottish Widows’ Protection Director, praised Alan’s relentless commitment, stating:
“Alan truly deserves this recognition for his lasting impact on the protection market, especially in the area of critical illness. From helping advisers have confident conversations about critical illness to assisting providers in benchmarking and improving their products to meet the latest medical definitions, Alan has ensured better outcomes for both consumers and advisers.”
CIExpert’s recent Critical Thinking Report also drew attention for offering valuable insights into the protection market from both advisers and consumers, which further demonstrates his dedication to driving positive change in the industry.
Reflecting on his achievement, Alan shared:
“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the award and to meet Marius Barnard’s daughter. Critical Illness Cover is such an important financial protection that everyone should consider. I’ve specialised in this area since the early 1990s, which led to the creation of CIExpert to help advisers easily compare different plans. I’m honoured to receive this award and continue my work to ensure better consumer protection outcomes.”
The award, introduced by Scottish Widows, is given to those who, like Dr. Barnard, demonstrate a commitment to advancing the protection industry. Alan Lakey’s efforts in helping shape critical illness cover through innovation, adviser support, and product benchmarking have rightfully earned him this prestigious honour.
We’re beyond proud of Alan and thrilled to see him receive this well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations, Alan!
