Banking. Fire and Rescue. Insurance. What’s the common thread?
Risk… and Steve Eckart.
With a career spanning financial markets, emergency services and local government, Steve brings a uniquely practical approach to his role as Divisional Manager Risk at Statewide Mutual.
We sat down with him to talk about his career journey, and how those experiences shape the way he supports NSW councils today.
Q: What were you doing before joining Statewide?
Interestingly, risk has always been part of my working life – just in very different forms.
Before Statewide, I had a long career in banking, mainly in financial markets. Then, I spent nine years as a risk and safety coordinator for a small rural council in western NSW. While I was in this council role, I also worked as an on-call firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW.
And since 2019, I’ve been with Statewide.
Q: How did you make the move to Statewide?
It started with an informal conversation with the JLT team. There was talk about potential roles opening up and whether I’d be interested.
That conversation evolved over about six months. And by the time the role became available, the transition made sense. I’d spent years working with Statewide and JLT from the council side, so in many ways, I just flipped the script.
Instead of being the client, I’d be supporting councils directly. Which felt like a natural next step.
Q: And what was that transition like, moving to the other side?
It was relatively straightforward. I already understood the product, the environment and the challenges councils face.
What changed was seeing the scale of the business behind the scenes, like how many moving parts there are and how everything interrelates. I also had to learn a new client base, across different regions, council sizes and risk profiles.
But that learning curve was one of the most interesting parts of the move.
Q: So all in all, you’ve had a long career in risk. Did you always have an interest in this field?
Well, like most people in the industry, I fell into it.
In banking, risk was always there – credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk. But it wasn’t the sole focus of my role. It’s when I moved into local government that risk and safety became much more hands on and operational.
And my time with Fire and Rescue NSW reinforced that even more. Because from the moment you get a call to the moment the job is done, you’re assessing risk, often in real time.
That experience shaped how I approach risk management today. It doesn’t have to be overly complex or theoretical. It needs to be practical and adaptable.
Q: How has your role at Statewide evolved over time?
I joined as a Regional Risk Manager and worked in that role for about five years. When a structural change created the Divisional Manager position two years ago, I applied for it.
Now, I lead a team of five risk managers who work remotely across NSW, overseeing service delivery and collaborating with other parts of the business.
But I still manage a small portfolio of councils myself, in southern Sydney and along the South Coast and Southern Tablelands.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Helping people. That’s always been the constant, whether in emergency services or in local government and the communities they serve.
I love helping councils work through problems and find solutions. When that advice leads to better outcomes – like safer assets, fewer accidents, or clearer decision-making – it’s incredibly rewarding.
Q: Were there any moments that stood out?
One recent example involved working with a coastal council on a new tourism walking trail.
I walked the entire trail – all 12 to 14 kilometres of it – with the council team and project manager. We identified risks and discussed controls before it opened to the public.
That was great, but what was even better is that, months later, the council came back with emerging issues they hadn’t anticipated. And we worked through those together too.
Risk management is an ongoing process – that’s what makes the work meaningful. It’s about being there as risks evolve and building partnerships that last.
Q: Any challenges?
Well, joining Statewide itself was a challenge, but in the best possible way.
I moved from being focused on one organisation to working within a large, complex business, while also supporting multiple councils. I had to learn the people, the systems, the broader insurance market and the client base – all at once.
And that learning never stops. Markets change. Risks evolve. Councils face new pressures. Staying across it all keeps me on my toes.
Q: That certainly sounds like a good challenge! What do you love most about being part of Statewide?
I love working with our clients. Our members genuinely care about their communities and want better outcomes. Being able to support that is a privilege.
I also love the people on our team. They’re fantastic to work with, and everyone’s always ready to collaborate and support one another. And that is critical, because you can’t operate in silos here. When everyone is aligned, we deliver better outcomes for councils, and that’s what matters.
Q: If there’s one thing about risk you wish more councils understood, what would it be?
The importance of adopting a risk mindset at every level of the organisation.
Risk management shouldn’t sit in one team or be seen as a barrier to getting things done. When it’s embedded into culture, supported from the top down, it actually becomes an enabler.
It helps organisations make better decisions, avoid surprises and create better outcomes overall.
Q: Outside of work, what brings joy?
Anything outdoors. I like to keep fit – gym, cycling, hiking. Staying active keeps me balanced.
Oh, and I love travelling.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve in the next five years?
Personally, I have so many travel plans! One of them is to hike Machu Picchu. And I want to trek in Nepal in the coming years too.
Professionally, it’s about continuing to strengthen the way we support councils, helping them build risk maturity over time. Risk is dynamic, so the focus is always on being adaptable and relevant.
Q: Finally, is there a mindset or motto that guides you when things get tough?
I have two: Be grateful for what you have. And focus on what you can control.
There’s no point spending energy on things outside your influence. So stay grounded, and remember: tomorrow is another day. It’s another opportunity.
Thanks to Steve for sharing his story. To learn more about how our risk team supports councils across NSW, get in touch today.