Reshuffle at QBE in optimisation push

Re/insurer QBE is realigning its operating model to take a more customer-centric approach. The move has resulted in several people moves, and creation of two new portfolios in its Australian and New Zealand operations.

The company has appointed two new general managers to its intermediary distribution leadership team. Rebecca Engel will take the role of general manager underwriting agencies, and Dean Cullen becomes general manager specialty, including aviation, marine, construction, warranty and professional lines. Both executives will report to Jason Clarke, QBE's executive general manager intermediary distribution.

Engel was most recently at NAB where she held a number of senior roles over the past eight years. She will be responsible for working closely with key partners in the underwriting agency space to enhance relationships, drive customer focus and identify growth opportunities.

Cullen has most recently been leading QBE’s travel, motor trades and motorcycle businesses. These teams will be incorporated into the specialty team in an expanded portfolio.

In addition, QBE has created two new portfolios. The company has combined its workers compensation and accident and health teams into a single unit, called People Risk, headed up by general manager Adam Farr.

The financial institutions and direct consumer business units have been merged as consumer, affinity and banking partnerships, in an expanded portfolio for general manager Eleanor Debelle.

QBE said that this move aligns the consumer-facing businesses under one portfolio to provide a dedicated focus and help drives synergies.

“Our strategy is about putting the customer at the heart of what we do and these changes mean we will be organised in a better way to deliver on that,” said Australian & New Zealand CEO Vivek Bhatia. “Pleasingly, these moves have created new opportunities for our own people and allowed us to promote from within."

“Combining our direct to consumer and Financial Institutions business units will ensure our consumer-focussed businesses are aligned and positioned to respond to consumer insights that no doubt translate across our partners and direct offerings.

“In creating a People Risk portfolio, we’re better reflecting the structure of our major trading partners, while combining very similar businesses, both in terms of the product and the claims handling approach," Bhatia added.

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