Faith-based insurer Ansvar has appointed former Catholic Church Insurance executive David Cole as its Chief Commercial Officer.

He replaces Ian Ireland, who is retiring as Ansvar’s GM Client Solutions after 14 years at the UK-owned insurer and nearly 40 years in insurance.

Melbourne-based Mr Cole will head Ansvar’s national client solutions and risk solutions teams, taking the reins of a new combined team in April after a handover period with Mr Ireland. He will be responsible for strategic business development and distribution.

Mr Cole was most recently GM Underwriting & Product at Catholic Church Insurance.

Ansvar specialises in care services, not for profits, education and learning, faith communities, arts, culture & heritage and commercial property owner sectors. Its Community Education Program has provided grants of more than $15 million to organisations that support disadvantaged young Australians.