The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has appointed Commonwealth Bank’s Andrew Hall as its next CEO, replacing Rob Whelan in September.

Mr Hall has spent the past seven years as CommBank’s EGM Corporate Affairs, and was previously Woolworths’ Director of Corporate and Public Affairs for six years.

ICA President and Chairman Gary Dransfield says Mr Hall’s corporate affairs and public policy experience will be “critical” in driving the ICA and the general insurance industry through the pandemic recovery and a raft of regulatory, consumer and economic issues.

“Andrew’s appointment follows an extensive national recruitment process,” he said.

“His corporate knowledge, and his understanding of customers, the regulatory and political environments and the financial services sector, will help him chart the ICA’s advocacy program to elevate the value of insurance both to our economy and our society.”

Mr Hall says general insurance plays a “vital role” in the Australian economy and the recovery from the pandemic and bushfire crisis.

“Insurance will also need to continue tackling the challenges of climate change and important regulatory changes, while also transitioning to the new Code of Practice, which must meet and exceed community expectations,” he said.

Mr Hall started his career as a journalist in regional NSW in 1994, before moving to Canberra in 1996 where he worked in federal politics for 10 years as a ministerial media adviser.

From 2001 to 2007 he was the Federal Director of the Nationals, leading the party as campaign director for federal elections.

Mr Whelan, who announced earlier this year that he would step down after a decade as CEO, will continue in the role until Mr Hall joins in early September.