NIBA president, Graham Stevens, has been announced as the new chairman of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries (WFII) at the annual World Council Meeting in Hong Kong last week.
Stevens, an executive director at Edgewise Insurance Brokers, becomes the first Australian to take the prestigious global role.
Headquarter in Brussels, WFII represents more than 400,000 insurance brokers and agents from more than 100 national associations across the world.
Stevens said that, although members deal with different issues in different markets, there are many common areas of interest.
"Although the members of WFII come from different places, and face different regulatory landscapes, there are many common areas that affect us all, including developing technologies, the global economy, climate change and emerging risks that we all face, or may be a growing threat in Australia,” Stevens said.
"It's a fascinating and fast-paced time for us all, and being closely involved with WFII helps to make sure the interests of Australian brokers are represented at the highest level."
Dallas Booth, NIBA CEO, who attended the council meeting with Stevens, spoke of the pride the Australian insurance industry should have as one of their own takes the international stage.
"It's an honour for Australian brokers, for NIBA and for Graham personally that colleagues from around the world have expressed their confidence in him to take a lead at global level for the next year,” Booth said.
"The WFII continues to carry significant influence within the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and is involved in crucial work at the United Nations and with G20 finance ministers. The WFII ensures that the views of brokers are heard in these forums, and it regularly achieves great outcomes for brokers around the world."
Stevens took on the role of NIBA president in December 2014.
