A HAMPSHIRE apprentice is in the running to be crowned insurance broker apprentice of the year.

Max Thompson has made it into the final six of the national competition run by Insurance Age and Zurich which aims to find the rising stars of the broking industry.

The 23-year-old former Thornden School and Peter Symonds College student from Chandler’s Ford joined Be Wiser Insurance’s threeyear training scheme, the Surestart development programme, after graduating from the University of Sheffield in 2012 with a degree in economics.

Now he will showcase his skills in the filmed finals judged by Zurich managing director Tim Holliday, which will test his industry knowledge, resourcefulness and determination.

The films can be viewed on the Insurance Age website in June and July.

If he wins he will receive financial support for his future training and development and mentoring by senior Zurich leaders.

Mark Leeming, programme manager for Be Wiser Insurance, based in Andover, said: “We are very proud to have Max as an ambassador for Surestart competing in this year’s Broker Apprentice.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for Max to gain further insight into the industry and the experience will be invaluable in his professional development.”