On 1 October 2025, the most prestigious annual awards in Bulgaria’s insurance and pension sectors were presented for the 17th consecutive year during a formal ceremony in Sofia. The awards – Insurer of the Year, Pension Insurance Company of the Year and Insurance Broker of the Year – celebrate outstanding achievements and leadership across the industry.
The event was jointly organised by the University of Insurance and Finance (UZF), the Association of Bulgarian Insurers (ABZ), the Bulgarian Association of Supplementary Pension Security Companies (BASPSC), the Prof. Dr. Veleslav Gavriyski Foundation, and the Bulgarian Association of Insurance Brokers (BAIB).
In addition to the main industry awards, the ceremony featured the Insurers for Society competition, which recognises socially responsible initiatives by insurance companies, and the Foundation’s annual distinctions for Lifetime Contribution to the Development of Bulgarian Insurance, Pension Security and Insurance Intermediation, now presented for the 27th time.
The event brought together senior representatives from government and regulatory bodies, business leaders, academics and members of the media, reaffirming the strong connection between the insurance sector and society at large.
Among the official guests were Grozdan Karadzhov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Gergana Aleksova-Velikova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Vasil Golemanski, Chair of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC), Plamen Danailov and Diana Yordanova, Deputy Chairs of the FSC, Vesela Karaivanova-Nacheva, Governor of the National Social Security Institute, Velislava Delcheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, and many others.
The ceremony was opened by Nikolay Stanchev, Chair of the ABZ Management Board, who congratulated the sector on the occasion of Insurer’s Day. He emphasised that the day is both an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to look ahead with confidence and ambition. “Our mission is to provide people with security and ensure resilience and stability for our economy,” he said. He noted that the Bulgarian insurance sector continues to respond to expectations with innovation, modern products and a clear commitment to sustainable development – achievements made possible by consistent investment and the strength of the professional community. “Only together – institutions, regulators, businesses and civil society – can we create policies and solutions that truly serve people,” Stanchev concluded.
Vasil Golemanski, Chair of the FSC, also addressed the audience, highlighting the dual economic and social role of the insurance sector, which he described as an “invisible shield” protecting both individuals and businesses from risk. “I am honoured that the sector sees us as a partner in dialogue,” he said. “We are working to improve communication, because we believe that our role is not only to enforce rules, but to actively support the development of your business.”
The evening continued with the presentation of the Insurer of the Year awards for 2024. Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Group EAD was named General Insurance Company of the Year. The award was presented by Grozdan Karadzhov to the company’s CEO and Chair of the Management Board, Nedyalko Chandarov.
In the Life Insurance category, the award went to DZI-Life Insurance EAD. The company’s CEO and Chair of the Management Board, Kosta Cholakov, received the distinction from Vasil Golemanski.
Groupama Insurance EAD was recognised as the Most Dynamically Developing Insurance Company. The award was presented to Selin Bolar, CEO, by Plamen Danailov, FSC Deputy Chair.
The ceremony also featured the 11th edition of the Insurers for Society competition, which honours initiatives with a strong public benefit and celebrates Insurer’s Day by highlighting the sector’s social impact. The competition is organised by ABZ in partnership with the two leading broker associations. The awards were presented by Velislava Delcheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria.
First prize went to Generali Insurance for its initiative The Human Safety Net – Expanding Early Childhood Development Services in Bulgaria, accepted by Nikolay Stanchev, CEO. Second place was awarded to Groupama Bulgaria for its Lifesavers first aid training programme. The award was received by Celine Bolar, CEO. Third place was given to SDI Group EAD for its donation supporting the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Oncohematological Conditions in the village of Opitsvet, accepted by Dr. Nikolay Zdravkov, Managing Director.
The Insurance Broker of the Year awards for 2024 recognised excellence across four categories. SDI Group EAD was named General Insurance Broker of the Year, with the award presented by Vasil Golemanski to Dr. Nikolay Zdravkov. Life Insurance Broker of the Year went to ING Insurance Brokers EOOD. The award was presented by Dr. Hassan Ademov, Member of Parliament, to Todor Dedinski, Director of Business Development and Sales. Most Dynamically Developing Broker for 2024 was Marsh EOOD, with the prize presented to Nelly Kalcheva, Head of Marsh McLennan Bulgaria, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ananas Atanasov, Chair of the National Statistical Institute. A new distinction – Sustainable Development in Brokering – was awarded for the second time, this year to Amarant Bulgaria OOD. The award was presented to Yanaki Yanakiev, Managing Director, by Martin Oresharski, Director of Certification Services at BORICA AD.
Top-performing pension companies were also recognised. POC Doverie AD received the Pension Insurance Company of the Year award for its performance in mandatory pension insurance. The award was presented by Diana Yordanova to Miroslav Marinov and Nikolay Marev, Executive Directors. In the voluntary pension insurance category, the award went to PIC Allianz Bulgaria AD. Tsvetomir Iliev and Reni Engibarova, Executive Directors, accepted the prize from Vesela Karaivanova-Nacheva. The award for Most Dynamically Developing Pension Company was presented to PIC Budeshte AD. Todor Lilov, Executive Director, received the award from Gergana Aleksova-Velikova, Deputy Minister.
The Prof. Dr. Veleslav Gavriyski Foundation also presented its 2025 national individual awards to leading professionals in the sector. The award for Lifetime Contribution to Bulgarian Insurance went to Borislav Bogoev, Chair of the Management Board of the National Bureau of Bulgarian Motor Insurers. The prize was presented by Plamen Danailov. A special award for academic contribution to Bulgarian insurance was presented to Prof. Dr. Diana Ivanova by Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice-Rector of UNWE. The Lifetime Contribution to Pension Security award went to Vladislav Rusev, CEO of PIC Allianz Bulgaria AD, presented by Diana Yordanova. The distinction for Lifetime Contribution to Insurance Intermediation was awarded to Rumen Staykov, Managing Director of Broker Ins OOD, and was presented by Maksim Kolev, Chair of the Management Board and Executive Director of the Guarantee Fund.
For the second time, a special award for contribution to insurance education was presented by VUZF University. The 2025 award went to Georgi Benkovski Secondary School in Teteven. School principal Marinela Markova accepted the prize, presented by Acad. Prof. Dr. Boris Velchev, Rector of VUZF.
The ceremony concluded with a group photo of all award winners, presenters, and official guests.
The event was held with the support of exclusive sponsor BORICA AD.
Media partners of the Annual Awards: Investor.bg, Bloomberg TV Bulgariа, Българска телеграфна агенция, Dnes.bg, Money.bg, Еconomic.bg и “Банкеръ”.
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