Willis Australasia CEO Bill Donovan has resigned to take up a new position dealing with international brokers at QBE New Zealand.

He will be replaced in October by Pieter Lindhout, who is currently MD of GE Capital – Insurance.

Mr Donovan has commuted regularly between Australia and his home in Auckland since becoming CEO in January 2009.

Mr Lindhout will answer to Scott Pickering, the President of Willis’ Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa operations, who has assumed the additional role of Chairman, Willis Australasia.

Both men will report to Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Chairman and CEO Roger Wilkinson.

Mr Lindhout is a former CEO of Tower Insurance, MD of AMP General Insurance, GM of management consultancy the Spencer Partnership and Operations Manager of medical insurer MBF.

Willis employs 400 people in the Australasia region, with six offices in Australia and three in New Zealand.