QBE does not expect to have selected a permanent CEO of Australian and New Zealand operations until well into next year.

Current regional CEO Pat Regan will take over from John Neal as group CEO in January.

As revealed in a Breaking News bulletin on Friday, QBE has appointed Inder Singh as Interim Australian and New Zealand CEO.

It says the search for a permanent successor to Mr Regan has started, but an appointment is not expected before the new year.

Mr Singh, previously Australian and New Zealand CFO, will be supported by EGM Consumer and Retail Partnerships Andrew Broughton, and EGM Intermediary Distribution Jason Clarke. Mr Regan says he will lend support as needed.

“I’m very confident in Inder and the wider leadership team in leading us through this transition period, continuing to focus on the great work we’ve been undertaking to set the business up for the future and successfully deliver on our plan for 2018 and beyond,” Mr Regan said.

He says the appointment of a permanent Australia and New Zealand CEO will be among his top priorities and “progress has been made in seeking suitable candidates”.

Before joining QBE in 2015, Mr Singh was group mergers and acquisitions director at UK-based Aviva, where Mr Regan also worked.