Travel industry friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Cliff Flack, who has died after a 43-year career in commercial insurance with Cork Bays & Fisher.
He started work aged 16 as an office junior, working his way up to become one of the most highly respected, knowledgeable and trustworthy insurance brokers in the travel industry.
His wife Rachel said: “He went above and beyond for all his clients and colleagues alike, many of them becoming friends over the 43 years of his working life.
“Colleagues were proud to be part of his team.
“If you made a friend of Cliff it was lifelong – in the words of many, he was a wonderful kind man and a loyal friend, also patient, except bond months. He will be greatly missed.
“During Abta conferences, Cliff was the sensible one, often charged with keeping his team on the straight and narrow.”
He enjoyed watching most sports, including American football and cricket, and supported West Ham all his life.
Over the last 10 years he had developed a love of bird watching and could often be seen with a pair of binoculars glued to his eyes. His favourites were birds of prey, especially owls.
“Throughout his illness he was strong and stoic, never complaining and often stating he didn’t feel unwell,” added Rachel.
Colleagues at Cork Bays & Fisher – Nic, Ishaan, Ian and Carole – said: “Cliff was a great manager and friend; he will be missed by the Cork Bays & Fisher team.
“He really was a professional, straightforward, honest, hardworking broker. He had a great knowledge of the industry and his clients trusted and respected him.
“We were proud to be part of his team.”
Chris Photi, head of travel and leisure at White Hart Associates, described Cliff as “a close friend and a valued professional colleague”.
“We had parallel careers – Cliff being at Cork Bays & Fisher for over 40 years and I similarly at WHA,” he said.
“We have both worked for the one firm our entire careers. We have seen the great and the good of travel come and go.
“The travel insurance bonding market has undergone incredible changes in that time and apart from the two pandemic years, when the whole travel bonding framework went mad, I know Cliff enjoyed his work.
“He serviced his customers, many of whom were mine also, with the utmost professionalism.
“He was a cheerful, friendly person but never lost his sense of priority in what was a stressful and difficult job at times.
“He may not register with many in travel simply because he never wanted the limelight and was thus a truly unsung hero. He will be greatly missed. The travel industry has lost a good ‘un.
“Both of us being diehard Londoners, I shall miss most the words ‘You alright buddy’ at the start of our numerous calls together.”
Lynne Kirby, managing director at Enable Holidays, said: “A nicer guy you could not meet.
“It was a privilege to be a friend of Cliff’s – he was such a kind man who always made time for me even when busy.
“Atol renewals were my worst nightmare but Cliff calmly guided me, negotiated on my behalf and always delivered on time.
“He was the go-to person on bad days as he had this infectious chuckle that lifted my (and everyone else’s) spirits, totally dismissing any bad mood; a genuinely great guy who will be so missed.”
Joanna Kolatsis, director at Themis Advisory, added: “Cliff was one of the first people I met in travel 24 years ago and was an absolute diamond.
“I was a young inexperienced lawyer, having just joined the industry, and knew nothing of travel insurance and the markets.
“He sat me down and, with his typical beaming smile and friendly demeanour, took me through everything I needed to know; we become very good friends from that moment on.
“Nothing was ever too much trouble for Cliff and he would fight tooth-and-nail for his travel clients. You couldn’t find a more loyal person.
“There was nothing he didn’t know about liability insurance and insolvency protection for travel businesses – he was the oracle and the loss of Cliff and his experience is surely a loss for the entire travel industry.”
His funeral took place last week.
