Australian Insurance Holdings (AIH) has appointed former Bank of Queensland COO Ram Kangatharan as its MD and CEO.

AIH companies include Auto & General Insurance and Budget Direct.

Deputy Chairman Stephen Klinkert says Mr Kangatharan is experienced in acquisitions, technology, process transformation and consumer brand development.

AIH is part of the South African-owned Budget Insurance group, which employs 5700 people worldwide and administers more than 3.5 million policies generating $2 billion in premium income.