QBE has appointed two non-executive directors from outside Australia, while one of its longest-serving directors has retired from the board.

Hong Kong-based Margaret Leung joins after serving as CEO of Hang Seng Bank between 2009 and last year.

She has 35 years’ experience with HSBC and is also a director of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and major companies Sun Hung Kai Properties and Li & Fung.

Ms Leung will bring expertise to “important geographies for QBE’s future growth plans”, the company says.

US-based Marty Becker – former president and CEO of Alterra Capital Holdings – has also joined the board. He has experience in investment banking, private equity, insurance and reinsurance.

He is the group’s second US-based director, according to QBE Chairman Belinda Hutchinson.

“North America remains the single-largest insurance and reinsurance market in the world, and a substantial proportion of QBE’s premium income is derived directly through its North American operations or indirectly through its interests in the London international market,” she said.

Australian-based former banker and business leader Irene Lee, who joined the QBE board in 2002, has retired.