IAG CEO and MD-designate Peter Harmer says the man he is replacing, Mike Wilkins, encouraged him to consider joining IAG after a career built on broking.

As reported by insuranceNEWS.com.au in a Breaking News bulletin on Wednesday, Mr Wilkins will hand over to Mr Harmer on November 16 after more than seven years in the role. But Mr Wilkins will “remain in an executive capacity” until March 31 to ensure a smooth transition.

Mr Harmer told insuranceNEWS.com.au he returned to Australia in 2010 after three years in London as CEO of Aon UK. He had previously served seven years as CEO of Aon Australia.

“After 23 years in broking I came back to Sydney needing a rest and time to think about what I wanted to do,” he said.

“I didn’t come back for the job I was eventually offered at IAG. But I was encouraged to look at the insurer landscape by Mike Wilkins, who I have always admired as a leader who empowers his people.

“He has built a good leadership team right across the organisation. And we have an aligned purpose – making the world a safer place.”

Mr Harmer’s first IAG role was CEO of the commercial division and specifically Melbourne-based CGU, an established insurer he is credited with turning around and modernising.

He says the transformation of CGU was not as difficult as many people believe. “It was a case of moving the culture, finding common goals and creating opportunities for people.

“Eighteen months into the change program CGU took on a self-sustaining momentum.”

In March this year Mr Harmer was seconded to a new role, as chief digital officer based in Sydney, and in July he became CEO of IAG Labs, a digital hub promoting and designing technological innovation across the group.

He says he looks forward to his new role, which will involve overseeing IAG’s steady growth in Asia and equipping the group to prosper in the new digital future.

An extensive interview focusing on Mr Harmer’s views on local and Asian growth strategies will feature in the December issue of Insurance News (the magazine).