’Our heartfelt condolences go out to his partner Trish and the rest of his friends and family,’ says firm

Broker Direct has announced that Neil Harris – one of the firm’s founding directors – has passed away.

Harris founded Broker Direct in 1997 and served on the board until he retired in 2013.

The firm said Harris spent his retirement in Wales and his last hours listening to the recordings of Maria Callas – an operatic soprano.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his partner Trish and the rest of his friends and family,” said Broker Direct in a LinkedIn post.

Outside of work

Broker Direct said Harris was “highly intelligent, widely experienced and fundamental to the development of the company”.

The firm explain that Harris had a “range” of interests, such as The Gourmet Trekkers, opera, “unique” collections and was a founding member of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

Camra is an independent voluntary consumer organisation that promotes real ale, cider, perry and traditional British pubs.