QBE Insurance Group has announced the appointment of Sue Houghton to the role of Chief Executive Officer of its Australia & Pacific (AUSPAC) division, beginning in August 2021 subject to regulatory approval. Houghton will form part of the Group Executive Committee and report to Interim Group Chief Executive Officer Richard Pryce.
The company describes Houghton as “an accomplished and highly regarded senior executive with extensive experience in the insurance industry”. President of the Insurance Council of Australia and holding a number of executive roles over her career, Houghton is currently the Managing Director for Insurance at Westpac, leading a large team across three business units: Lenders Mortgage Insurance, General Insurance, and Life Insurance. Before this, she was Chief Financial and Operating Officer ANZ, for insurance broking giant Arthur J Gallagher, leading the finance, strategy, business development, legal and risk, and compliance functions. She has also held senior positions at Wesfarmers Insurance Division and Insurance Australia Group (IAG).
“We are delighted to welcome Sue to QBE,” said Pryce. “She is a highly regarded insurance leader who is known for her sound judgement, resilience and adaptability as well as for cultivating talent, fostering diverse and inclusive teams, and driving performance. Sue’s insurance expertise, together with her experience as an executive at a major commercial lines brokerage, will be an asset to QBE, helping us continue to respond to the needs of our customers and brokers. We look forward to her joining the team.
“I would like to thank Frank Costigan, Interim Managing Director Australia, and Declan Moore, Chief Customer Officer, New Zealand & Pacific, for their leadership of the AUSPAC division while the executive search process was undertaken,” added Pryce.
Commenting on her appointment, Houghton said, “I am very excited to be joining QBE and look forward to working with the AUSPAC team and broader group executive to help drive a more customer-centred, simpler, and stronger business in the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific region.”