Bruce Copp, a London-based specialist Lloyd’s broker who regularly travelled to Australia to negotiate facultative business with local insurance professionals, has died at 65 after a battle with cancer.

Mr Copp, who spoke at several NIBA Conventions, was a shareholder and director of major Australian underwriting agency SRS, which was acquired by Gallagher in 2012. Mr Copp handled the SRS portfolio, which at the time was the largest binder of Australian business placed at Lloyd’s.

Former SRS MD Paul Lynam told insuranceNEWS.com.au that Mr Copp was a 40-year veteran of the Lloyd’s market, and travelled to Australia about 60 times.

“He knew Australia very, very well,” he said. “The underwriters in London trusted that he was well connected and knew the territory.”

Through his career Mr Copp worked in several London broking houses. His last professional role was at Capsicum Delegated Authority, formerly known as the Binders and Facilities Division within Gallagher.

Mr Copp retired a few years ago to a farm in the south-east of England with his wife Sue and two dogs. He collected vintage Aston Martins and Ferraris and “loved to shoot pheasant”, according to Mr Lynam.

Mr Copp’s funeral will be held at Wealden Crematorium in Sussex on September 3. Donations can be made to ‘Blind Veterans UK’, ‘Help for Heroes’ or ‘RNLI’ via www.cwaterhouseandsons.co.uk.