One of the Australian industry’s most respected and popular insurance brokers, Steve Ball, died suddenly on the weekend.

It’s understood Mr Ball, who was Chairman of JLT Australia, died of a massive heart attack while on a visit to the UK.

He had worked for JLTA since 1982 and was made chairman in 2013. He was also a director of the National Insurance Brokers Association for 12 years, and served as its president in 2004-06.

His wife Maureen, who was accompanying Mr Ball on his visit to the UK, is MD of Finserv Consulting in Sydney. The couple have two children.

Mr Ball’s death in the UK coincided with the death of another JLTA stalwart, Brian Coppin, who died in Perth on Saturday after a long illness.

He was a former long-serving non-executive director of JLTA. Among his many career achievements was the founding of Western Underwriters in WA, which was later bought by QBE and renamed Western QBE.

In a note to staff made available to insuranceNEWS.com.au, JLTA CEO Leo Demer describes Saturday as “the most tragic day in the long history of JLT in Australia”.

“Steve was very much the ‘heart’ of our company in his kindness and support for all staff, especially the young up and comers who he enjoyed mentoring as much as his real job,” he said.

“Brian was the ‘soul’ of JLT in his continual urging that we be the company that really does put the client first. His dedication and loyalty to the business over so many years has been inspiring.”

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