Tributes have been paid to Insurance Advisernet authorised representative Tim Sanney, who last Monday lost his battle with a rare form of cancer.

Mr Sanney’s insurance career began in 1977 when he joined Willis Faber Johnson and Higgins as a cadet.

He subsequently worked at David Rowley & Sons, Lloyd’s, Bain Clarkson, CPF, ZIB and OAMPS. He was GM insurance at Expense Reduction Analysts before joining Insurance Advisernet in 2011.

Insurance Advisernet MD Shaun Standfield says Mr Sanney was a “significant contributor” to the company.

“He was always willing to impart his extensive knowledge of insurance across our network,” he said. “He approached his illness with a positive attitude and it was great he made the effort to attend our conference on Hamilton Island, even though his health wasn’t the best.”

Chubb Country President John French paid tribute to a “well-liked and highly respected friend and long-term business partner of many of us here at Chubb. We will miss dealing with Tim, and the entire insurance industry has lost one of its true characters.”

Insurance Mentor MD David Francis, who knew Mr Sanney since they were both aged 11, says his friend will be greatly missed.

“Tim was very honourable, very professional, but at the same time he had a very warm personality,” he said. “He was always a bit of a larrikin, but very sincere.”

Pen Underwriting’s Underwriting Manager Construction David Hackforth, who has known Mr Sanney since 1980, described him as a “great broker” and “a loveable rascal”.

“He enjoyed life. He loved golf and his family.”

Mr Sanney is survived by his wife Catriona and daughter Isabella.

Donations can be made to Rare Cancers Australia. Click here.