QBE Group’s US-based President, Intermediary Distribution, Mike Scala, has taken over responsibility for global distribution following the retirement of Terry Ibbotson.

Earlier this month QBE Global Underwriting Operations CEO John Neal confirmed the role would be relocated to New York because “the head office locations of the major international brokers are all in the northern hemisphere”.

But a QBE spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au that while Mr Scala will have overall responsibility for global distribution, he may not assume the same executive committee function as Mr Ibbotson.

The global distribution function will also be strengthened by two additional appointments.

Veronica Grigg, currently Regional Manager, Strategic Sales for QBE Australia and Asia Pacific, will move to New York to take up the role of Head of Global Distribution, reporting to Mr Scala from January 1.

Theo Stevens, who is currently National Manager eBusiness Solutions, will assume responsibility for developing e-commerce capabilities to support global distribution. He will also report to Mr Scala.

The spokesman says QBE’s major broker partners have been informed of the changes.