Allianz Australia has completed its executive search after introducing a new operating model at the start of the year focused on three key customer segments.

Phuong Ly will take the role of Chief GM Commercial from October, complementing Michael Winter who heads the consumer division and Julie Mitchell, who heads the workers’ compensation division.

The three new divisions were created as part of what Allianz says was a larger organisational realignment around core customer areas.

“Having worked in insurance his whole career, including in underwriting and claims, Phuong clearly understands the customer perspective and frontline challenges,” local Allianz MD Richard Feledy said.

The new commercial division focuses on small to medium enterprises, mid-corp markets and specialist areas such as underwriting agencies and Hunter Premium Funding.

Sydney-based Mr Ly was most recently Chief Underwriting Officer at QBE for a year and brings almost two decades of experience in insurance in Australia after holding executive leadership roles at CGU as well as IAG, where he was EGM Business Distribution and EM Broker & Agency.