The broking trade has continued to pay tribute to Edgewise Director Graham Stevens, who died final week following a battle with most cancers.
Mr Stevens, mostly recognized by his nickname “Bear”, was President of the Nationwide Insurance coverage Brokers Affiliation (NIBA) in 2014-15, and in addition served a two-year time period as President of the World Federation of Insurance coverage Intermediaries.
Steadfast MD Robert Kelly informed insuranceNEWS.com.au Mr Stevens had been a enterprise affiliate and private pal for virtually 40 years.
“We had been like brothers,” he stated. “Graham was one of many basis shareholders and board members of Steadfast.
“He was some of the beneficiant individuals by way of the time he would give to youthful individuals. I at all times discovered him reliable, and trustworthy in his criticism or reward about something that I requested him.
“He was additionally the consummate gentleman and a household man, and he had a variety of mates in any respect ranges.
“He served with nice ability on the NIBA board and have become president, in addition to representing NIBA internationally.”
Mr Kelly says Mr Stevens was “an incredible advocate” for small and medium sized brokers in Australia, regardless that he was doing offers on the highest degree.
“He had a drive to guarantee that individuals who wanted recommendation acquired it in a method they might perceive, and that there was transparency on remuneration. If you need an instance of what an insurance coverage dealer needs to be, Graham was the epitome of it.
“He acquired his nickname “Bear” as a result of somebody thought he seemed like a fuzzy bear and the identify caught. It was a time period of nice endearment for those that knew him effectively. I at all times thought he seemed extra like Kenny Rogers than a bear.
“I’m very unhappy about his life ending far too quickly due to the insidious illness that’s most cancers.”
Mr Stevens is survived by his spouse Norma, daughters Rachel and Melinda and two grand-daughters.
A celebration of his life is anticipated to be held subsequent month, and insuranceNEWS.com.au will present particulars when they’re made public.
Edgewise Insurance coverage Brokers CEO Richard Coloretti says many individuals have been in contact with the enterprise to pay their respects.
“We now have obtained a plethora of tributes to Graham from everywhere in the trade, all of which expressing what an incredible dealer and really great and caring particular person he was,” he stated.
“Though he had reduce down his workload in latest instances he was by no means removed from the enterprise and at all times had his finger on the heartbeat, irrespective of the place on the planet he was or the state of his well being. He remained the consummate dealer to the tip.”
