Paul Venning has joined Ace Insurance in Sydney as CEO for Australia and New Zealand.

He replaces former CEO Damien Sullivan who has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific region and COO of South-east Asia and Australasia. Mr Sullivan is now based in Singapore.

Mr Venning – former Australian Regional Manager and director of Marsh – was with that company for eight years. He previously spent 20 years with Alexander and Alexander (now Aon), where he held senior positions in client service, sales and broking.

“I am very excited about the change in my career direction to an underwriter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ace has opened a new office in Christchurch, NZ. Manager Simon Foley will report directly to NZ MD Scott Pickering.