Tributes from throughout the insurance coverage trade are flowing following the dying on Friday of distinguished dealer Graham Stevens, who was described immediately as “a person with an unlimited zest for all times”.
Gary Seymour, whose shut friendship with Mr Stevens noticed them work collectively in a number of broking ventures, advised insurance coverageNEWS.com.au that Mr Stevens, who died on the age of 68 after a battle with most cancers, was pleased with his achievements within the trade.
“He was reflective reasonably than regretful in his final months,” Mr Seymour stated. “He was a boy from Preston [a working-class suburb in Melbourne] who was pleased with what he’d achieved. It was a life well-lived, however alas over too quickly.”
Mr Stevens, who was generally recognized within the trade by his nickname “Bear”, started his profession at GRE Insurance coverage in Melbourne earlier than organising his personal brokerage, GJ Stevens Insurance coverage Providers, in 1981.
A number of years later he joined with Mr Seymour to arrange GIS. That firm later merged with British dealer Bradstock to develop into Bradstock GIS, which grew by means of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties till the companions offered it to world dealer Willis in 2000.
Mr Stevens was Nationwide Affinity Supervisor for Willis Australia till 2007 earlier than organising Edgewise Insurance coverage Brokers with Mr Seymour and a number of other different brokers in 2009. The brokerage now has round 70 workers.
“Graham was an enormous affect within the success of Edgewise,” Mr Seymour stated. “However simply as importantly, he was an enormous affect on broking and brokers.”
Mr Stevens’ providers to broking included 12 years as a board member of Steadfast earlier than its public float in 2013, after which he turned a member of the Steadfast Basis board.
He was a member of the Nationwide Insurance coverage Brokers Affiliation (NIBA) board and was elected President of NIBA in 2014, serving within the publish for 2 years. He was additionally elected as President of the World Federation of Insurance coverage Intermediaries – the worldwide physique for insurance coverage brokers – a place he held for 2 years.
“The factor about Bear was that he was throughout all kinds of folks, from the folks on the prime to the younger folks simply beginning out,” Mr Seymour advised insurance coverageNEWS.com.au. “He was at all times beneficiant along with his time and a mentor to so many brokers.
“He had an unlimited zest for all times and gave his time to anybody who wanted his recommendation. He believed in doing every part doable to advance younger folks of their broking careers.”
NIBA CEO Phil Kewin advised insurance coverageNEWS.com.au Mr Stevens was “a real gentleman”.
“Not solely was he at all times taking care of his purchasers’ pursuits, however was instrumental as a job mannequin and mentor for youthful brokers,” he stated.
“A devoted servant to NIBA and its members, Graham or “Bear” as they known as him, might be sorely missed.”
Mr Stevens is survived by his spouse Norma, daughters Rachel and Melinda and two grand-daughters. A personal funeral might be adopted within the subsequent few weeks by a celebration of his life. insurance coverageNEWS.com.au will publish particulars once they develop into accessible.
