QBE hires Westpac's Houghton as new Australia Pacific CEO

QBE Insurance Group has appointed Westpac insurance head Sue Houghton as its new Australia Pacific chief executive (CEO), effective from August.

Houghton is currently the managing director for insurance at Westpac, leading a large team across three business units - lenders mortgage, general and life insurance. She was appointed president of the Insurance Council of Australia in July 2020.

Prior to Westpac, she served as the chief financial and operating officer for the Australian and New Zealand region for Arthur J Gallagher. She has also held senior positions at Wesfarmers Insurance Division and Insurance Australia Group (IAG).

In her new role at QBE, Houghton will be responsible for the re/insurer's Australia and Pacific (AUSPAC) division. She will form part of the group executive committee and report to interim group chief executive officer Richard Pryce.

Pryce said Houghton was a "highly regarded insurance leader" known for sound judgement, resilience, cultivating talent and insurance expertise.

“Sue’s insurance expertise, together with her experience as an executive to a major commercial lines brokerage, will be an asset to QBE, helping us continue to respond to the needs of our customers and brokers,” he said.

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