Willis Australasia CEO Pieter Lindhout has left the company suddenly.

A statement from Willis says Mr Lindhout’s job will now be incorporated into the role of the new Executive Chairman Willis Australasia, Roger Wilkinson.

Mr Lindhout told insuranceNEWS.com.au “changes at the senior level” within Willis led to his departure.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Willis,” he said. “There are some fabulous people in the organisation.”

Mr Wilkinson is the former Hong Kong-based Chairman and CEO, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and officially started in his new position in Sydney on Monday. It’s understood Mr Lindhout left shortly after.

A source close to Willis told insuranceNEWS.com.au Mr Lindhout “is a decent guy and a terrific leader”.

“He was recruited from a management position in GE, and although he didn’t have an insurance broking background he did a great deal of good at Willis in building teams and other internal cultural stuff.”

The source says Mr Wilkinson is “a very experienced broker who will give Willis a much greater presence in the game locally”.

Mr Wilkinson, a New Zealander, joined Willis in 2005 after 32 years at Marsh.