Canopius Group has appointed Andrew Ziolkowski as head of Australia and New Zealand, effective from October 25.

He will join from QBE, where he has most recently served as chief underwriting and transformation officer. Before that he was group executive of icare’s Insurance for NSW and held executive positions at IAG/Wesfarmers and Zurich Financial Services.

Canopius says he brings more than 28 years’ experience in insurance and financial services across customer, product, underwriting, claims, actuarial, analytics and regulatory management.  

Mr Ziolkowski will take over from Craig Elliot, who became interim head of the Australian business in December after Claudio Saita left the company.

Mr Elliot will continue as ANZ head of casualty and will also take on the newly created role of head of distribution. 

“Andrew’s extensive experience and strategic leadership will be instrumental in propelling Canopius’ Australia business forward,” Asia-Pacific CEO SK Lee said.

“We are confident his skills will help us achieve our growth and profit ambitions.”

The global insurer and reinsurer opened in Australia in 2019. It also has offices in Bermuda, Singapore, the UK and the US. 

“I look forward to both expanding our delegated authority business and growing our open market business in the region,” Mr Ziolkowski said.