NIBA Announces Gary Okely as the 2026 Lex McKeown Trophy Recipient
Media Release
The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has presented Gary Okely, Head of JLT Public Sector – Pacific, part of Marsh McLennan, with the 2026 Lex McKeown Trophy at the NIBA Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, 20 October.
The Lex McKeown Trophy is presented by the NIBA President, in consultation with the NIBA CEO, to a long-standing NIBA member who has provided outstanding service to NIBA and made a significant contribution to the broking profession.
"Gary has given an extraordinary amount to NIBA and to the profession over more than a decade on the Board. His steady leadership, commitment to members and focus on raising professional standards have strengthened the Association and the value we deliver to brokers and their clients," said NIBA President Nick Cook.
Born and raised in the country and based in Adelaide, Gary has worked with insurance markets in Australia, Asia and London over a career of more than 40 years, including a move to Hong Kong with JLT in 1990. Much of his work has been with governments, businesses and not-for-profits. He helped create and develop mutual risk products for the local government sector, a model since expanded well beyond local government. He applied a similar grouped approach to give community organisations access to affordable cover. He has also led conversations on disaster vulnerability and resilience-building in Australia.
Gary served on the NIBA Board for more than a decade. He was NIBA President from 2023 to 2025, before handing the presidency to Nick Cook, and concluded his Board tenure at NIBA's Annual General Meeting in February 2026.
During his time on the Board, Gary helped guide NIBA through the Royal Commission into financial services. In that period, NIBA worked with government before and during the Commission and engaged Deloitte Access Economics to demonstrate the value brokers deliver to clients and communities. He also supported NIBA's work to keep the broking community connected through the COVID-19 years.
As President, Gary led NIBA's advocacy on insurance affordability and availability, workers' compensation reform, insurance taxes and levies, and strata insurance. He championed representation for regional brokers alongside the large international firms. During his presidency, NIBA began the review of the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice, and he oversaw the CEO transition from Phil Kewin to Richard Klipin.
Gary has long supported a mentoring culture in the profession, crediting the senior colleagues who guided him early in his career. He has encouraged brokers to get involved with NIBA, for the professional development and relationships that come with it.
"On behalf of the NIBA Board, I extend my warmest congratulations to Gary on being the 2026 Lex McKeown Trophy recipient. Gary exemplifies what this honour stands for: service to the Association, service to the profession and service to people," Nick concluded.