QBE has appointed Westpac insurance head Sue Houghton to lead its Australia and Pacific business, as it continues to complete its recruitment process for a Group CEO.

As reported in a Breaking News bulletin last week, Ms Houghton will commence her role in August and will be based in Sydney.

Ms Houghton, the Insurance Council of Australia President, has also been Chief Financial and Operating Officer for Arthur J Gallagher in Australia and New Zealand and has held senior positions at Wesfarmers Insurance division and IAG.

Group Interim CEO Richard Pryce says Ms Houghton is a highly regarded leader known for her sound judgment, resilience and adaptability, as well as for cultivating talent, fostering diverse and inclusive teams and driving performance.

“Sue’s insurance expertise, together with her experience as an executive to a major commercial lines brokerage, will be an asset to QBE, helping us continue to respond to the needs of our customers and brokers,” he said.

Ms Houghton has led a large team across the lenders’ mortgage insurance, general insurance and life units at Westpac, which last year sold the general insurance business to Allianz in a deal due for completion in the middle of this year.

QBE’s Australia and New Zealand business has been led by Interim MD Frank Costigan and Chief Customer Officer New Zealand & Pacific Declan Moore since the departure last August of previous division leader Vivek Bhatia.

Mr Pryce, previously International CEO, had planned to retire last year but was asked to stand in as interim Group CEO after Pat Regan left the company at the start of September.

A spokeswoman told insuranceNEWS.com.au that the recruitment process is ongoing.