Vivek Bhatia is leaving QBE, and the insurance industry, to lead listed information solutions company Link Group.

As reported in a Breaking News bulletin last week, Mr Bhatia will depart his position as CEO Australia Pacific this month.

Frank Costigan, currently Australia Pacific Chief Customer Officer Personal Lines, has been appointed to the interim role of MD Australia.

Mr Costigan and CEO and Chief Customer Officer New Zealand & Pacific Declan Moore will assume interim responsibility for the AUSPAC division, reporting to Group CEO Pat Regan.

“Mr Regan will take on greater oversight of operations in QBE’s home market, working closely with Frank Costigan and Declan Moore while an internal and external succession process is underway,” the insurer says in a statement.

Mr Bhatia rejoined QBE two-and-a-half years ago after setting up NSW state insurer icare.

Prior to that he held senior roles with McKinsey & Company and Wesfarmers Insurance, while from 2003-2007 he was QBE’s local head of IT, strategy, governance and program delivery.

A statement from Link Group says he has been appointed MD and CEO, succeeding John McMurtrie, who will retire early next year.

“We identified a number of quality candidates and the board concluded that Vivek had the right leadership experience and expertise to lead the next era of growth at Link Group,” Chairman Michael Carapiet – who is also icare Chairman – said.

In an interview with Insurance News magazine in December 2018, Mr Bhatia spelled out his “2021 ambition” for QBE to be number one in commercial lines, build strength in personal lines, and be innovative in SME.

Mr Regan says Mr Bhatia has “continued to strengthen our operations in Australia Pacific and driven strong financial performance”.