Aon Risk Solutions’ new Pacific Region chairman is London-based John Cullen, who has retained his other roles as CFO.

Mr Cullen replaced Steve Nevett on January 1, even though the Aon website still lists Mr Nevett in the role and the broker’s online executive profiles make no mention of his additional role as Pacific Region Chairman.

Mr Cullen was previously based in Hong Kong, where he was CFO for Aon’s operations in Asia, focusing on retail, reinsurance, consulting and warranty services.

In 2002 he returned to the UK, where he and was appointed to his present London-based roles in 2008.

Mr Nevett held the dual position of chairman and CEO until the end of 2013, when it was announced he would hand over the CEO role to Lambros Lambrou.

Although he is no longer chairman, Mr Nevett retains links to Aon. A company statement says he will “provide occasional counsel to Aon” this year.

Mr Nevett told insuranceNEWS.com.au he is “still part of the [Aon] family, albeit on an ad hoc basis”.

“After 44 years in the industry, I thought it would be nice to have a break, so I haven’t come to any decisions about what comes next,” he said. “I’m on a retainer in a consulting role until the end of this year, which gives me time to think about things for the future.”

Mr Nevett says his retirement was foreshadowed two years ago under Aon’s succession planning for the Pacific region.

But given the absence of fanfare that has accompanied Mr Cullen’s appointment as Chairman – and an absentee chairman at that – does this suggest the position has been downgraded now the succession plan has come into full effect?

insuranceNEWS.com.au put this question to Aon. In a written statement, it says “the Pacific region is a key area of focus for Aon Risk Solutions” and “our regional and global leadership teams are fully integrated”.

The new Pacific region leadership team comprises Mr Lambrou, New Zealand CEO and Regional Deputy Chairman Geoff Blampied, and CFO and COO Bill Hooper.

Aon says Mr Cullen’s “deep connection to the region spawns from his close relationships with its leaders and frequent visits to the region”.