A York worker has picked up a prestigious national award for her tireless work to ensure the nation’s families are financially secure.

Louise Colley, who works for Aviva in the city, has been named as Personality of the Year at the life insurance industry’s Protection Review Awards.

In her role as head of protection marketing for Aviva in York, Louise has spent more than a decade campaigning to help people understand the importance of life insurance.

It is her ongoing mission to ensure all UK families have life cover in place – just in case the unthinkable happens.

Louise was the brains behind Aviva’s groundbreaking initiative to offer free life cover to new parents in 2009, an offer which is still available today.

She was also a crucial driver in developing the insurer’s emotive “ghost dad” TV advertisement which featured Paul Whitehouse in January this year.

The advert was the first of its kind to show a parent watching his family from beyond the grave. It has been hailed throughout the financial services industry as a brave move to appeal to the 61 per cent of families who don’t have life insurance.

Aviva also picked up Protection Provider Of The Year at the ceremony.

Louise said: “I was completely overwhelmed when I heard that I had won the award, but clearly I’m over the moon too. Anyone who knows me can tell you I’m passionate about my work – not because I am a workaholic, but because I genuinely believe people owe it to their families to ensure they have financial protection in place.

“As a mum of four-year-old twins I truly understand how important it is to have that peace of mind – which probably comes across in my work. The award is a great honour for me, and for the fantastic team that’s supported me over the years.”