Suncorp is searching for a new Chief Risk Officer after the promotion of Fiona Thompson to the new role of Group Executive, People, Culture & Advocacy.

The change brings together the People & Culture and Corporate Affairs, Customer Advocate and Regulatory Affairs teams.

Ms Thompson begins next month. Stuart Cameron will act as Chief Risk Officer while the search is conducted to fill the role she vacated.

CEO Steve Johnston says a strong alignment between Suncorp’s people and culture objectives and its advocacy program was behind combining the functions.

“We are taking a more active role in advocating for issues that are important for our customers and the broader community. This program is gaining traction with governments and other stakeholders,” he said.

“Fiona has a long history within Suncorp across a range of risk, regulatory, legal and customer functions which have given her a comprehensive understanding of what is required to deliver the outcomes we need from this important portfolio.”

Ms Thompson has been with Suncorp for 20 years, leading a range of legal, risk management, compliance, internal audit and customer advocate functions. She took the Chief Risk Officer role in 2016 and has been Acting Group Executive, People & Culture since January.

She was formerly Acting Chief Risk & Legal Officer, Chief Risk Officer–Insurance and Associate General Counsel and advised Suncorp through risk transformation, mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, regulatory change, remediation activity and licence consolidation.

“People, culture and advocacy sit at the heart of the Group’s strategy and purpose, and each will play a critical part in helping to deliver the financial outcomes that make Suncorp a sustainable, investable and growing business,” Ms Thompson said.