Medical defence group Avant’s search for a new CEO is “well under way”, with current head David Nathan due to step down on May 10.

The company expects to make an announcement “in the coming weeks”.

In the meantime CFO Scott Pearson and General Counsel Fraser MacLennan-Pike will share the role.

Mr Nathan joined the medical indemnity industry as CEO of United Medical Protection in 2006. A year later the group merged with the Medical Defence Association of Victoria to become Avant.

Mr Pearson has been Avant’s CFO since November 2008, having previously held senior finance roles at various general insurers and health insurer MBF.

Mr MacLennan-Pike has been Avant’s General Counsel since June 2009. He previously held senior legal and commercial roles at AMP and IAG.

Avant has a membership of more than 60,000 healthcare practitioners and medical students, with net assets of about $800 million.

Its Avant Insurance subsidiary offers medical indemnity and medical practice cover, plus health and income, life, and total and permanent disability products.