'Consummate broker': tributes continue to flow for Graham Stevens

The broking industry has continued to pay tribute to Edgewise Director Graham Stevens, who died last week following a battle with cancer.

Mr Stevens, most commonly known by his nickname “Bear”, was President of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) in 2014-15, and also served a two-year term as President of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries.

Steadfast MD Robert Kelly told insuranceNEWS.com.au Mr Stevens had been a business associate and personal friend for almost 40 years.

“We were like brothers,” he said. “Graham was one of the foundation shareholders and board members of Steadfast.

“He was one of the most generous people in terms of the time he would give to younger people. I always found him trustworthy, and honest in his criticism or praise about anything that I asked him.

“He was also the consummate gentleman and a family man, and he had a wide range of friends at all levels.

“He served with great skill on the NIBA board and became president, as well as representing NIBA internationally.”

Mr Kelly says Mr Stevens was “a great advocate” for small and medium sized brokers in Australia, even though he was doing deals at the highest level.

“He had a drive to make sure that people who needed advice got it in a way they could understand, and that there was transparency on remuneration. If you want an example of what an insurance broker should be, Graham was the epitome of it.

“He got his nickname “Bear” because someone thought he looked like a fuzzy bear and the name stuck. It was a term of great endearment for those who knew him well. I always thought he looked more like Kenny Rogers than a bear.

“I am very sad about his life ending far too soon because of the insidious disease that is cancer.”

Mr Stevens is survived by his wife Norma, daughters Rachel and Melinda and two grand-daughters.

A celebration of his life is expected to be held next month, and insuranceNEWS.com.au will provide details when they are made public.

Edgewise Insurance Brokers CEO Richard Coloretti says many people have been in touch with the business to pay their respects.

“We have received a plethora of tributes to Graham from all over the industry, all of which expressing what a great broker and truly wonderful and caring person he was,” he said.

“Although he had cut down his workload in recent times he was never far from the business and always had his finger on the pulse, no matter where in the world he was or the state of his health. He remained the consummate broker to the end.”