QBE bolsters North America board with new non-executive directors

Re/insurer QBE North America, part of QBE Insurance Group, has appointed two new non-executive directors to boost its expertise in insurance, technology and digital innovation, strategic risk management, growth and operations strategy, as well as customer experience.

The appointment of Shamla Naidoo and Sharon Ritchey will take QBE North America's total board membership to eight.

Both the executives will serve on the audit, investment, people & remuneration and risk & capital committees, with plans for Ritchey to chair the people & remuneration committee.

Naidoo has over 35 years of experience working in information technology and information security. She is currently a managing partner at IBM, where she advises CEOs, board members and C-suite executives on integrating digital technology and strategic risk management.

Ritchey has over 30 years of experience in insurance and financial services focusing on growth, operations, data & analytics, digital, technology and customer experience. She currently serves as chief strategy officer for Enlighten Operational Excellence.

Ritchey has also served as head of enterprise change for T. Rowe Price; senior executive director, chief operating officer and chief customer officer at AXA US and in various senior executive roles at The Hartford, GE Capital and Citi.

Truett Tate, North America's board chairman, said: "It is my great pleasure to welcome Shamla and Sharon to the QBE North America Board. As we continue to drive our efforts to innovate and build best in class digital capabilities for our customers, Shamla's deep expertise in technology will bring invaluable insight and perspective to our strategic discussions."

He added: "Sharon has enjoyed an outstanding executive career in the insurance industry and financial services sector with a true focus on customers. Her appointment will further deepen the insurance and underwriting expertise of the QBE North America Board.

"As QBE North America continues to drive a culture of innovation, underwriting excellence, customer-focus and high-performance, driven by engaged employees, the Board is excited to leverage the new insights and fresh perspective of these two proven leaders."

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